A Venezuelan national has been charged in the United States with running a large-scale money laundering operation that allegedly moved around $1 billion through cryptocurrency and traditional financial channels, U.S. authorities said on Friday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the criminal complaint was filed in federal court in …
A selloff in precious metals and lower U.S. stocks appeared to be denting crypto sentiment.
During an earnings call on Friday, CEO Bill Demchak urged a clear split between payment tools and investment vehicles.
Bitcoin market research warned that BTC faced another bear market in 2026 if it was unable to reclaim its yearly moving average.
XRP Community Day is coming back on February 11, 2026, bringing together the global XRP ecosystem for a full day of discussions, updates, and live interaction. Designed as a fully online event, it gives XRP holders, developers, builders, and newcomers a clear view of where the ecosystem stands today and what is being built for …
Belarus's move to integrate cryptobanks may boost its fintech sector, attracting global investments and enhancing its digital economy.
The post Belarusian President signs order establishing framework for crypto banking appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
X is revising its developer API policies to no longer allow apps that reward users for posting on the social media platform.
As Iran’s economy continues to strain under heavy sanctions, high inflation, and a weakening currency, many citizens are turning to crypto as an alternative financial lifeline. Related Reading: Bitcoin Tailwind: Cathie Wood Sees ‘Reaganomics On Steroids’ Ahead Recent blockchain data shows a sharp rise in Bitcoin withdrawals and transfers to personal wallets, particularly during periods of unrest and internet restrictions. For many Iranians, digital assets now serve both as a hedge against currency collapse and a way to move funds beyond government-controlled systems. The Iranian rial has lost around 90% of its value against the U.S. dollar since 2018, while inflation has hovered between 40% and 50%. In response, crypto usage has grown steadily, with Iran’s total cryptocurrency activity reaching an estimated $7.78 billion in 2025, according to Chainalysis. BTC's price trends sideways on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Bitcoin Use Rises During Protests and Internet Blackouts Crypto activity surged during mass protests that began in late December 2025, triggered by rising living costs and currency devaluation. As demonstrations spread, authorities imposed internet shutdowns and tightened financial controls. During this period, blockchain data showed higher average daily transaction values and a notable increase in transfers from Iranian exchanges to self-custodied Bitcoin wallets. Smaller withdrawals, often associated with individual users, recorded some of the strongest growth. Medium and large transfers also increased, suggesting that both households and businesses were seeking to move funds out of local platforms. Bitcoin’s appeal lies in its ability to be stored and transferred without relying on domestic banks or state oversight. For Iranians facing restrictions on access to cash, foreign currency, or international transfers, crypto offers a way to preserve value and maintain some financial mobility. Crypto’s Dual Role: Citizens and State Actors While ordinary Iranians are using cryptocurrencies to protect savings, state-linked actors are also active in the digital asset space. Wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accounted for more than half of the country’s crypto transaction value in the final quarter of 2025. These wallets received over $3 billion during the year, up from around $2 billion in 2024. Western authorities believe the IRGC uses cryptocurrencies to bypass sanctions, move funds across borders, and support regional operations. Chainalysis notes that these figures likely underestimate the true scale, as many affiliated wallets and networks remain unidentified. At the same time, spikes in Iranian crypto activity have closely followed major political and security events, including the Kerman bombings in 2024, missile strikes in October 2024, and a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that disrupted Iran’s largest crypto exchange and a major state bank. A Growing Dependence on Digital Assets For many Iranians, cryptos have become more than a speculative asset. They are increasingly used as a tool for financial survival in an economy marked by inflation, sanctions, and limited access to global markets. Bitcoin’s censorship resistance and portability make it especially attractive during periods of unrest or capital controls. Related Reading: XRP In A ‘Super Cycle’? SuperTrend Suggests Another Story As economic pressures persist and geopolitical tensions remain high, blockchain analysts expect crypto usage in Iran to continue rising. Whether as a means of preserving personal wealth or navigating sanctions, digital assets are now a central part of Iran’s financial landscape. Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview
Bitcoin finally looks alive again. After months of going nowhere, the price pushed up toward $98,000 and is now holding above $96,000. For the first time in a while, crypto traders are feeling some real momentum. But beneath the surface, not everyone is convinced this move will last. According to Michael Nadeau, the market’s structure …
The Wikimedia Foundation said it has inked agreements with Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta to use its content for training LLMs.
Artemis research shows crypto credit and debit card spending is now rivaling peer-to-peer stablecoin transfers, with Visa capturing most on-chain volume through early infrastructure partnerships.
The company sold nearly $100 million of bitcoin to fund the purchase of its 200-acre Rockdale site and signed a leasing agreement with Advanced Micro Devices that could deliver $1 billion in revenue.
Ripple says trading and payment activity for its U.S. dollar stablecoin RLUSD is likely to move increasingly toward the XRP Ledger over time, as institutions look for faster and cheaper blockchain rails. Speaking in a recent interview, Ripple executive Reece Merrick said most RLUSD activity currently sits on Ethereum, but that balance could change as …
The CLARITY Act is becoming a fight over who controls yield as rules split DeFi companies and incumbents and risk pushing onchain US dollar yield offshore.
The ICP price has returned to focus as new data reveals that Internet Computer emerged as the most used blockchain of 2025. Even while price momentum remained constrained for most of the year, adoption metrics, on-chain activity, and recent technical signals suggest a shifting landscape for ICP crypto. ICP Price Supported by Unmatched Network Usage …
A fresh rally may be underway in the cryptocurrency market, according to a senior analyst at blockchain data firm Santiment, who says investor sentiment is setting up a classic bullish signal for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Brian Quinlivan, marketing director at Santiment, said in a recent interview that crypto prices are rising at a time …
The Arena CEO Jason DeSimone joins Layer One to discuss the platform's revival, pathways to creator monetization, and the future of SocialFi.
Riot's strategic expansion in Texas enhances its data center capabilities, positioning it for significant long-term growth and market influence.
The post Riot stock rises on AMD lease and Rockdale land acquisition appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
U.S.-listed bitcoin miners entered 2026 with rising revenues, improving margins and recovering valuations, setting a more constructive near-term backdrop.
Bitcoin developer, Jameson Lopp, posted a simple observation days after CoinGecko published its 2025 dead coins report. The timing crystallized a tension that's shaped crypto since the first Bitcoin fork. Token issuance has always been abundant, as spinning up a new coin takes minutes, not months. But CoinGecko's latest dataset turned the “anyone can launch” […]
The post Why a record 13M crypto projects are now dead as Bitcoin critics still claim “anyone can launch a token” appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Aave (AAVE) was also a top performer, rising 1.4% from Thursday.
It's a massive bet on Mr. Beast—but arguably more bullish for the future of BMNR.
The market mood in crypto cooled sharply after a quick spike in optimism. According to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, the reading fell by 12 points on Friday, dropping from 61 to 49. Related Reading: Altcoin Rallies Are Getting Shorter, And Wintermute Has The Data That swing moved the gauge from “greed” into a “neutral” zone in a single session. Bitcoin had jumped about 4.5% earlier in the week to roughly $97,700, which helped push sentiment higher, but the focus shifted toward politics and lawmaking in Washington. Regulatory Concerns Shake Markets Based on reports, the main trigger was debate over a Senate version of a long-awaited crypto market structure bill. The measure would set out how US regulators oversee digital assets and includes language that would tighten rules around stablecoin yields. Several lobbyists and executives raised alarms about those provisions. Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, withdrew his backing, saying the proposal would be worse than the current setup and that a bad law would be harmful. After the backlash, the Senate Banking Committee cancelled its planned markup and the Senate Agriculture Committee moved its session to late January while lawmakers seek more support. Social Media Sentiment Shifts As Traders React According to crypto analytics firm Santiment, the market activity had two different trends at once: larger holders were building positions while smaller, retail traders were selling. Social chatter began to reflect worry after the regulatory news, even as on-chain data showed accumulation by more experienced wallets. The index’s peak earlier in the week was the highest since it reached 64 on October 10, the same day a market crash triggered over $19 billion in liquidations. Those past losses still hang in investors’ memories. Smart Money Buys While Retail Sells Reports have disclosed that smart money accumulation can support prices, but headlines shape short-term moods. Bitcoin was trading at about $95,642 at the time of publication, down around 0.02% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. That small move shows market resilience, yet the sentiment measure’s drop demonstrates how fragile confidence can be when policy doubts emerge. Many traders watch Washington closely, sometimes even more closely than charts. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s New Power Buyers: Companies Bought 3 Times What Miners Produced Delay Seen As Chance By Some Industry Players A segment of the industry read the postponements as constructive. David Sacks, who advises on crypto matters at the White House, said the pause could help close gaps between stakeholders and bring the bill closer to something workable. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, kept engaging with lawmakers and described the delay as an opening to improve the text. Those views contrast with more alarmed voices and help explain the mixed market reaction. Featured image from The Drive, chart from TradingView
As DePIN projects generate revenue and AI agents move onchain, builders are shifting focus from speculation to fundamentals, but questions remain about Web3’s decentralization ethos.
Renewed spot Ethereum ETF inflows topped $474 million this week while network metrics smashed records, positioning ETH for a rally to $4,500 in the coming weeks.
A growing amount of the blockchain industry’s fees are captured by DeFi protocols rather than the underlying networks, signaling a potential investor shift to front-end facing applications.
The apparent shutdown follows years of scrutiny of one of crypto’s largest fraud marketplaces.
The investment gives BitMine exposure to consumer media and potential DeFi revenue streams, strengthening its treasury strategy beyond ether accumulation.
Wood removed bitcoin from his model portfolio, reallocating the 10% stake into gold and gold-mining stocks amid quantum computing concerns.
JPMorgan's new unit could accelerate the shift towards private markets, offering companies innovative funding alternatives and reshaping capital access.
The post JPMorgan forms new unit to help companies tap into private capital appeared first on Crypto Briefing.