Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein credits Trump’s First Step Act for early prison release

The U.S. hacker pleaded guilty to stealing and laundering nearly 120,000 bitcoin from cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex in 2016.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/01/02/crypto-hacker-ilya-lichtenstein-credits-trump-s-first-step-act-for-early-prison-release

Dogecoin surges 7% as a double-bottom break sparks DOGE rally

The breakout was supported by spot activity, indicating a healthier market move.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/02/dogecoin-surges-7-as-a-double-bottom-break-sparks-doge-rally

XRP bounces, but $2 remains the hurdle as exchange supply hits 8-year low

Exchange balances have decreased by about 57% since October, suggesting tokens are moving into longer-term storage.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/02/xrp-bounces-but-usd2-remains-the-hurdle-as-exchange-supply-hits-8-year-low

December FOMC minutes show the Fed is worried short-term funding could seize up

Fed officials were focused less on rate moves and more on whether the financial system has enough cash to avoid sudden disruptions.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/01/december-fomc-minutes-show-the-fed-is-worried-short-term-funding-could-seize-up

Vitalik Buterin on the two goals Ethereum must meet to become the ‘world computer’

After major technical gains in 2025, Buterin says the network must double down on usability and decentralization to meet its original goals.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/01/01/vitalik-buterin-on-the-two-goals-ethereum-must-meet-to-become-the-world-computer

Strategy shares register first six-month losing streak since adoption of bitcoin strategy in 2020

Crypto analyst Chris Millas has highlighted an unusually persistent slump in Strategy shares, breaking with past drawdown patterns even as the firm continued accumulating bitcoin.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/01/strategy-shares-register-first-six-month-losing-streak-since-adoption-of-bitcoin-strategy-in-2020

How crypto's promised year-end fireworks turned into a bloodbath

Digital asset treasuries, altcoin ETFs and bitcoin’s famed year‑end seasonality were meant to supercharge prices. What came instead was the worst drawdown since 2022's crypto winter.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/01/how-crypto-s-promised-year-end-fireworks-turned-into-a-bloodbath