Ethereum’s blockspace is getting a fresh approach. ETHGas has announced the launch of $GWEI, a new governance token designed to support what it calls “Realtime Ethereum.” The goal is simple. Make Ethereum transactions faster, more predictable, and less frustrating for users and apps. What ETHGas Is Trying to Fix Ethereum is widely seen as the …
An important part of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act could change how major cryptocurrencies are treated in the United States. According to reporting by Eleanor Terrett, the bill may place XRP in the same regulatory category as Bitcoin and Ethereum, under certain conditions. What the Bill Says in Simple Terms The Clarity Act includes …
Polygon has earned over $1.7 million in fees in 2026, driven in large part by Polymarket’s 15-minute high-frequency prediction markets, which introduced transaction fees that reward liquidity providers and increase network activity. On one day, these markets contributed up to $100,000 in fees. Polygon also achieved a throughput of 16.67 million gas per second and …
Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB), a fully licensed digital bank regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, has taken a major step in expanding its global payment capabilities by opening a correspondent banking account with J.P. Morgan. The move grants SGB direct access to J.P. Morgan’s established USD clearing network, strengthening its ability to deliver fast, …
The fast-growing crossover between politics and crypto speculation has taken another turn after former New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of a new meme coin, dubbed the NYC Token. Following in the footsteps of politically themed tokens like TRUMP and MELANIA, the project immediately drew attention from both traders and media, placing …
Ex-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, known as the pro-crypto “Bitcoin Mayor,” launched the $NYC token on January 12, 2026, in Times Square via X. He pledged 70 percent of the token supply to a reserve wallet to support causes like fighting antisemitism, anti-Americanism, HBCUs, and youth scholarships. The memecoin quickly reached a $600 million …
After months of negotiation, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott released the text of the nearly 280‑page Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, a bipartisan proposal to bring clarity to U.S. crypto regulation. The bill draws a clearer line between SEC oversight for early‑stage tokens and CFTC control for ‘digital commodities’, aiming to resolve …
The US Senate Cynthia Lummis has unveiled a draft bill aimed at setting clear rules for the crypto market. The proposal is an amendment to H.R. 3633 and is titled the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. The bill is expected to be marked up on January 15, 2026. If passed, the legislation could reduce regulatory …
Nigeria is taking a firm step to bring cryptocurrency activity under its tax system through the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025. The new law allows tax authorities to track crypto transactions by linking them to real-world identities using Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs). This is a major shift for Nigeria, …
Iran’s national currency, the rial, has fallen to levels many citizens describe as practically worthless. The collapse is not the result of a single event. Economists say it reflects years of high inflation, weak growth, sanctions, and limited access to foreign currency. What is failing now is something more fundamental: trust in money itself. As …
Nigeria has implemented sweeping tax reforms that require crypto activity to be linked to Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and National Identity Numbers (NINs), allowing authorities to trace digital asset transactions for taxation and enforcement purposes without compromising blockchain security. Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, virtual asset service providers are required to collect detailed customer …
As the January 15 markup of the crypto market structure bill—known as the CLARITY Act—draws closer, reports indicate that Coinbase (COIN) is reconsidering its support for the legislation. A Monday report from Bloomberg suggests this shift in position is contingent on whether the anticipated bill includes provisions beyond enhanced disclosure requirements tied to stablecoin rewards. High Stakes For Coinbase The CLARITY Act is expected to be marked up in at least one Senate committee this Thursday, and Coinbase’s potential withdrawal could have significant implications for the bill. A source familiar with Coinbase’s stance told Bloomberg that the exchange would re-evaluate its support if the legislation veers too far from its interests, particularly regarding stablecoin incentives. Some insiders suggest the bill might restrict the ability to provide rewards to regulated financial institutions, a move that aligns with the banking sector’s concerns about losing deposits to crypto platforms. Related Reading: Dogecoin Breaks Its ‘Lower-Band Prison’ As Daily Trend Flips Coinbase currently holds applications for a national trust charter that could permit it to offer those kinds of rewards under regulatory rules. However, many crypto-native firms are pushing back against potential restrictions, arguing that such measures could disrupt competition in the market. The stakes for Coinbase are high, as rewards programs play a crucial role in its business model. The exchange allows users to earn 3.5% rewards on Circle’s USDC holdings. Should the market-structure bill include bans on these incentives, fewer users might choose to hold stablecoins on the platform. This could jeopardize an anticipated revenue stream projected at $1.3 billion in 2025, according to Bloomberg. Banking Vs. Crypto The GENIUS Act, passed into law in July of last year, prohibits stablecoin issuers from offering interest on token holdings, and does not prevent third-party partners like Coinbase from providing rewards tied to customer balances. The banking industry, however, argues that allowing exchanges to pay such rewards could negatively impact bank deposits and, consequently, community lending. As reported by Bitcoinist over the past month, the American Bankers Association (ABA) has voiced concerns that this situation could displace “billions” from local lending, allegedly harming small businesses and households. In contrast, Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s chief policy officer, has argued that maintaining rewards tied to stablecoins is crucial for preserving the dollar’s dominance, especially in light of China’s announcement to start offering interest on its digital yuan. Banking Lobby Fights Back A potential compromise being discussed would permit only licensed banking entities or financial institutions to provide rewards on stablecoin balances. Related Reading: Why The $2.9 Billion Bitcoin Whale Buy Could Spell Doom For The Market Recently, five crypto firms, including Ripple, Circle, and Paxos, received conditional approvals from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to become national trust banks, a move met with opposition from the banking lobby. If restrictions are indeed imposed, the report suggests that this could lead to creative workarounds as crypto firms seek alternative ways to reward customers. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
After weeks of waiting, the United States Senate is preparing to adopt the Clarity Act in 2026. The need for regulatory clarity in the United States remains unprecedented as the crypto bull stalls due to bipartisan delays. Crypto Regulatory Talks Gain Traction in the U.S. Pro-crypto U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bipartisan act …
In a major new development for the crypto industry, Senators Ron Wyden and Cynthia Lummis announced on Monday evening the introduction of a bipartisan, standalone version of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA). This legislation aims to provide much-needed clarity for software developers and infrastructure providers in the blockchain space, particularly concerning their classification under federal law. New Crypto Bill To Protect Blockchain Developers According to the detailed press release regarding the matter, the BRCA specifies that developers and providers who do not have control over user funds will not be classified as money transmitters. Senator Lummis highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by blockchain developers, stating: Blockchain developers who have simply written code and maintain open-source infrastructure have lived under threat of being classified as money transmitters for far too long. This designation makes no sense when they never touch, control, or have access to user funds, and unnecessarily limits innovation. Related Reading: Crucial Role Of The CLARITY Act In Avoiding A New October 10 Crypto Crash, Expert Explains Lummis emphasized that the bill provides developers with the clarity needed to advance digital finance without the fear of legal repercussions for activities that do not pose a money laundering risk. Lummis added, “It’s time to stop treating software developers like banks simply because they write code.” Senator Wyden echoed these concerns, arguing that imposing the same regulatory requirements on developers as those applied to exchanges or brokers is fundamentally flawed. Main Highlights Of The BRCA The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act aims to set clear federal standards defining when blockchain developers and service providers can be exempt from money transmitter regulations. Under current legislation toward crypto, the Senators assert blockchain developers face regulatory ambiguities that have not only stifled innovation but also driven many projects offshore, as they navigate conflicting regulations across different states. Related Reading: Dogecoin Breaks Its ‘Lower-Band Prison’ As Daily Trend Flips The bill specifically establishes that a “non-controlling developer or provider” refers to any entity that develops or maintains distributed ledger technology but does not possess the unilateral authority to initiate or execute transactions involving users’ digital assets without third-party consent. In addition, the crypto bill clarifies protected activities, including the development or publication of software for distributed ledgers, maintenance services for blockchain networks, offering customer self-custody solutions, and providing necessary infrastructure to support distributed ledger services. Importantly, while the bill allows states to enforce their laws consistent with federal regulations, it also prevents them from imposing money transmitter requirements on developers engaged solely in the specified protected activities. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Cryptocurrency exchanges registered a healthy growth in trading volume in 2025 compared to the prior year. According to a report from CryptoQuant, crypto exchanges, led by Binance and Bybit, registered a combined trading volume of more than $79 trillion in 2025. Binance Perpetual Trading Fuels Growth in Crypto Volume in 2025 According to a report …
The crypto market has started 2026 on a stronger note after a difficult end to last year, helped by improving global conditions and renewed institutional interest. Analysts say easing financial conditions, expectations of rate cuts, and fresh inflows into U.S.-listed crypto ETFs are giving digital assets some support. Historically, early January strength has often set …
Ripple has submitted a detailed letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force, calling for a clearer and more practical approach to regulating digital assets. The letter, dated January 9, 2026, argues that current regulatory thinking creates confusion by failing to separate a crypto asset from the contract under which it was …
Bitcoin is stuck in a narrow range, with prices showing little direction. The broader picture looks flat as major stock indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are also moving sideways. With no strong push either way, Bitcoin remains in a holding pattern. This phase started around November 21 and reflects a cooling period …
Ripple has secured an important regulatory milestone in the Middle East after its stablecoin RLUSD was officially recognized for use in Dubai’s financial hub. The approval places RLUSD among a very small group of stablecoins cleared for activity inside the Dubai International Financial Centre. The decision was confirmed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, which …
Gold and silver climbed to fresh all-time highs this week as the U.S. dollar weakened amid rising tensions between Jerome Powell and Donald Trump. The dispute has raised concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence, pushing investors toward traditional safety assets. Gold traded near $4,600 per ounce, while silver jumped more than 5% to above $84 …
Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures is planning a crypto prime brokerage for institutional clients, offering custody, financing, trading, and clearing for Bitcoin, Ether, and other digital assets while avoiding Basel III 1250 percent capital charges. The move builds on the bank’s July 2025 debut in spot Bitcoin and Ether trading, its Zodia Custody expansion, Coinbase partnerships, …
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) will ban privacy tokens, including Zcash and Monero, in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from January 12, 2026, citing money laundering and sanctions evasion risks linked to anonymized transactions. Regulated firms will be prohibited from trading, holding, promoting, or using mixers and tumblers. Stablecoins will now be restricted …
Dubai has introduced major changes to its crypto regulations, signaling a tougher stance on compliance within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has banned privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, refined stablecoin rules, and shifted greater responsibility to crypto firms operating in the financial free zone. The update aims to bring Dubai’s crypto …
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has strongly defended the central bank’s independence amid a new Justice Department investigation. Speaking over the weekend, Powell argued that the probe reflects political pressure from the Trump administration over interest rate decisions, rather than concerns about the Fed’s renovation project. According to Powell, the controversy is not about a …
India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has rolled out stricter anti‑money‑laundering and KYC rules for cryptocurrency exchanges to strengthen user verification and combat illicit activity. New onboarding requirements include live selfie verification using liveness detection, geolocation tracking (latitude, longitude, IP, timestamp), bank account confirmation via a small test transfer, and multiple government‑issued ID checks. Exchanges must …
The crypto market is entering one of the most important weeks of January, with new US inflation data, consumer spending reports, and updates from the Federal Reserve. After months of unclear economic signals, markets are finally getting a better view of inflation and growth. For Bitcoin, this week could determine whether the recent recovery continues …
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has ended a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investments, originally imposed over money laundering concerns. Around 3,500 listed companies and professional investors can now allocate up to 5% of their equity annually to the top 20 cryptocurrencies on major exchanges like Upbit. Exchanges must apply staggered trades and size limits …
Crypto YouTube viewership has plunged sharply over the past three months to its lowest level since January 2021, highlighting weak retail interest amid prolonged bear‑market conditions. Data shared by Benjamin Cowen shows a broad drop in 30‑day average views across channels, while creator Tom Crown says engagement has fallen across platforms since October. Analysts link …
Coinbase has warned it may withdraw support for the CLARITY Act if the Senate limits stablecoin rewards beyond simple disclosure rules. Passed by the House in July 2025, the bipartisan bill heads to a Senate Banking Committee markup on January 15, 2026, to clarify SEC and CFTC oversight. Coinbase argues stricter rules could stifle competition, …
After retreating from late-2025 highs, Bitcoin has spent much of recent trading days fluctuating between the mid-$80,000s and low-$90,000s, with buyers consistently stepping in on dips and sellers defending the same resistance level. Interestingly, this technical setup resembles the structure Bitcoin formed before its last major rally that eventually pushed it to its price peak above $126,000. Related Reading: Crypto Market Watches As Clarity Act Enters Senate Debate Next Week: US Senator Bitcoin Revisits A Familiar Consolidation Structure A closer look at BTC price action on the daily candlestick timeframe chart shows that the leading cryptocurrency is tracing a pattern that looks very similar to what played out between March and May 2025. In that earlier phase, Bitcoin spent weeks trading between roughly $76,000 and $86,000, repeatedly failing to break higher and giving the impression of stagnation. During that time, the Bitcoin price held above support levels and continued to print lower lows within the range and gave the impression of a lack of immediate upside. That consolidation ultimately proved to be a base. Once Bitcoin broke above the upper boundary of that range at $86,000, the sentiment changed very quickly and created the stage for a strong upside move that eventually led to Bitcoin. The current structure shows the same characteristics, only at a higher altitude. This time, Bitcoin is ranging between approximately $84,000 and $94,000, with price compressing in a similar way to early 2025. Bitcoin Price Chart. Source: @aganstwallst On X Why Bitcoin Might Push To New ATHs The $94,000 level has become the primary area determining Bitcoin’s current upward price action. Bitcoin’s price action tested this zone during an early January rally, briefly pushing toward $94,500 on January 5 before facing rejection and dropping back into correction. That rejection is now in the past, and the next priority is what Bitcoin might do once it finally secures a decisive break above this resistance. The previous performance is a good reference point for what could follow a confirmed breakout. After Bitcoin cleared $86,000 during the prior consolidation last year, it pushed up for many months, eventually reaching a peak price of around $126,080. That move represented a gain of about 46% from the breakout level. No two price movements can play out in exactly the same way, but the similarities between the current setup and last year’s structure suggest that Bitcoin may once again be building energy below resistance. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Next Peak Might Ignite ADA’s Rally, Says Cardano Creator If Bitcoin delivers a comparable expansion after breaking above $94,000, the projected upside targets would extend a little above $126,000 and lead to the creation of a new all-time high. Applying the same percentage move from $94,000 points to a potential advance to as high as $138,000. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView