Saturday, January 31, 2026

Bitcoin hashrate drops 12% in worst drawdown since China mining ban: CryptoQuant

A severe winter storm has forced US miners to curtail operations, dragging bitcoin’s hashrate, output and miner margins to their weakest levels in months.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/01/30/bitcoin-hashrate-drops-12-in-worst-drawdown-since-china-mining-ban-cryptoquant

Friday, January 30, 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Tokenization firm Securitize reports 841% revenue growth as it prepares to go public

With crypto prices and crypto-related stocks in the midst of a major selloff today, Securitize SPAC merger partner Cantor Equity Partners II is higher by 4.4% on the news.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/29/tokenization-firm-securitize-reports-841-revenue-growth-as-it-prepares-to-go-public

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Circle faces first major 'threat' for institutional dollars from Tether’s USAT

While Circle's USDC has operated without a "credible domestic competitor," Tether's USAT has the potential to shake up the landscape, analysts said.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/27/circle-faces-first-major-threat-for-institutional-dollars-from-tether-s-usat

Crypto faces fork in the road as Clarity Act support wavers, Bitwise says

The asset manager argued that without federal legislation, the industry has three years to become indispensable before political winds potentially shift.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/27/indispensable-or-irrelevant-bitwise-cio-warns-of-3-year-deadline-for-crypto-adoption

Macro fears mask Ethereum’s momentum, SharpLink CEO says

SharpLink CEO Joseph Chalom argues that macro uncertainty is hiding a massive institutional shift toward Ethereum-based tokenization.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/26/macro-fears-mask-ethereum-s-momentum-sharplink-ceo-says

Sunday, January 25, 2026

The big U.S. crypto bill is on the move. Here is what it means for everyday users

For those who don't have the compass and the time to track Congress through its arcane procedures, here's what's likely to affect you if a bill passes. Or doesn't.

source https://www.coindesk.com/news-analysis/2026/01/25/the-big-u-s-crypto-bill-is-on-the-move-here-is-what-it-means-for-everyday-users

Friday, January 23, 2026

U.S. Senator Warren rebuffed on delay of World Liberty bank charter over Trump ties

The OCC says the trust-bank application tied to President Donald Trump-connected World Liberty Financial will move ahead without the senator's requested pause.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/23/u-s-senator-warren-rebuffed-on-delay-of-world-liberty-bank-charter-over-trump-ties

Kevin O'Leary says power is now more valuable than bitcoin

"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary is pivoting his crypto strategy from tokens to energy infrastructure, declaring that power generation is now the real prize.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/23/kevin-o-leary-says-power-is-now-more-valuable-than-bitcoin

Binance plans return to stock tokens after 2021 retreat

The exchange shut its earlier effort under regulatory pressure, but the tokenization push is gaining fresh momentum, a report said.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/23/binance-plans-return-to-stock-tokens-after-2021-retreat-the-information

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Gold surges to doorstep of $5,000 as experts debate bitcoin's underperformance

"The [BTC] adoption announcements are not working anymore," said Jim Bianco, while Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas urged taking a longer-term view.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/22/gold-surges-to-doorstep-of-usd5-000-as-experts-debate-bitcoin-s-underperformance

Optimism community begins vote on OP token buybacks

The Optimism Foundation's proposal would link the value of the OP token more directly to the economic performance of the Superchain.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/22/optimism-community-begins-vote-on-op-token-buybacks

Citi sounds the alarm on ‘address poisoning’ scams flooding the Ethereum network

A record surge in activity on the Ethereum network is likely being driven by scam-related behavior rather than genuine user growth, according to the bank's analysts.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/22/citi-sounds-the-alarm-on-address-poisoning-scams-flooding-the-ethereum-network

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Shark Tank's Kevin O’Leary on betting big on data centers and why most crypto tokens will never come back

The Shark Tank investor is preparing shovel-ready sites for bitcoin miners and data centers, betting that infrastructure — not tokens — will drive the next wave of value.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/21/kevin-o-leary-adds-13-000-acres-to-fuel-crypto-and-ai-infrastructure-push

BlackRock’s IBIT powers new bitcoin annuity for U.S. retirees via Delaware Life

The first-of-its-kind FIA, according to the companies, offers crypto exposure with principal protection, aiming to attract cautious investors near retirement.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/21/blackrock-s-ibit-powers-new-bitcoin-annuity-for-u-s-retirees-via-delaware-life

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Solana Mobile begins SKR token airdrop to Seeker phone users

The token will play a central role in governance and staking, allowing holders to delegate tokens to help secure and scale the mobile ecosystem.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/20/solana-mobile-begins-skr-token-airdrop-to-seeker-phone-users

Massachusetts judge poised to tell Kalshi to stop taking sports bets in state

The prediction market platform Kalshi will be preliminarily ordered by a superior court justice in Massachusetts to halt its online sports business there.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/20/massachusetts-judge-poised-to-tell-kalshi-to-stop-taking-sports-bets-in-state

Not all crypto is equal: Schwab maps where the money actually is in digital assets

A new report from Schwab breaks crypto into 3 layers — networks, infrastructure and products – and says most value is still concentrated at the base.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/20/not-all-crypto-is-equal-schwab-maps-where-the-money-actually-is-in-digital-assets

Monday, January 19, 2026

Ethereum posts record onchain activity as research points to possible spam-driven growth: Asia Morning Briefing

Data suggests much of the recent spike in Ethereum transactions is tied to address poisoning, a scam that relies on cheap “dust” transfers to contaminate transaction histories rather than organic user demand.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/20/ethereum-posts-record-on-chain-activity-as-research-points-to-possible-spam-driven-growth-asia-morning-briefing

Here are the 3 things to watch that will move bitcoin and crypto prices in 2026

The four-year crypto market cycle, driven by bitcoin halving events, may be over, with institutional products like ETFs changing market dynamics.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/19/here-are-the-3-big-things-that-will-move-bitcoin-and-crypto-prices-in-2026

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Animoca’s Yat Siu says crypto’s Trump moment is over

With the political hype fading, Siu argues crypto’s next phase will be shaped less by personalities and more by infrastructure, regulation and who actually uses the technology.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/18/animoca-s-yat-siu-says-crypto-s-trump-moment-is-over

Friday, January 16, 2026

Polygon Labs said to have laid off 60 staff following new $250 million acquisition

Ethereum scaling firm Polygon Labs disputed reports of a 30% workforce reduction, saying role overlaps from acquisitions drove the changes while its headcount remains the same.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/16/polygon-labs-said-to-have-laid-off-60-staff-following-new-usd250-million-acquisition

DeFi community sees ‘bad’ crypto bill’s collapse as win, not setback

The latest push to establish a comprehensive U.S. crypto market structure framework hit a snag this week, but leaders in DeFi don’t seem alarmed by the collapse.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/15/defi-sees-bad-crypto-bill-s-collapse-as-win-not-setback

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

How a battle with bankers tarnished crypto's market structure bill near the finish line

The crypto industry contends that Wall Street giants stood behind community banks to undercut digital competitors before they could get a major legislative win.

source https://www.coindesk.com/news-analysis/2026/01/13/how-a-battle-with-bankers-tarnished-crypto-s-market-structure-bill-near-the-finish-line

JPMorgan CFO calls stablecoin yield payout 'obviously dangerous and undesirable'

JPMorgan's Jeremy Barnum said the bank would compete with crypto offerings but warned that stablecoin yield products look like banks without the same regulation.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/13/stablecoin-yield-debate-looks-like-parallel-banking-system-jpmorgan-cfo-says

Senator Lummis offers DeFi protections bill as broader market structure draft nears

Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced a standalone bill to press a key point on how blockchain software developers are treated, though crypto market structure observers await the big show.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/12/developer-shields-pitched-in-standalone-bill-as-senate-nears-market-structure-unveiling

CFTC to tap Tyler Winklevoss, other crypto CEOs as first members of innovation panel

Mike Selig, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is settling in with the revamping of a new innovation panel with many crypto names.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/12/cftc-to-use-tyler-winklevoss-other-crypto-ceos-as-first-members-of-innovation-panel

Prediction markets downplay Powell exit risk despite DOJ probe: Asia Morning Briefing

Traders on Polymarket and Kalshi are shrugging off the idea that a criminal investigation into the chair of the Federal Reserve would have him removed from his role early.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/12/prediction-markets-downplay-powell-exit-risk-despite-doj-probe-asia-morning-briefing

JPMorgan downplays stablecoin threat as local bankers warn of $6.6 trillion risk

The ABA sent a letter to the U.S. Senate, saying stablecoins that offer yields will affect its banking members ability to grant loans, but JPMorgan disagrees.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/11/jpmorgan-downplays-stablecoin-threat-as-local-bankers-warn-of-usd6-6t-risk

As the market tanks, crypto’s new gold rush is…gold

The huge spike in onchain gold signals is that DeFi investors are planning to stay in DeFi, even when the tide turns, argues RAAC founder Kevin Rusher.

source https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2026/01/09/as-the-market-tanks-crypto-s-new-gold-rush-is-gold

Ethereum’s future hinges on zero-knowledge proofs, EF director says

In a recent interview with CoinDesk, Ethereum Foundation co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang described zero-knowledge as part of Ethereum’s midterm roadmap, pointing to “many amazing breakthroughs” in the past one to two years.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/11/ethereum-s-future-hinges-on-zero-knowledge-proofs-ef-director-says

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Robinhood explains building an Ethereum layer-2: 'We wanted the security from Ethereum'

CoinDesk sat down with Robinhood’s head of crypto, Johann Kerbrat, to get an update on its upcoming layer-2 network, its tokenized stocks program, and its staking offerings.

source https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/10/robinhood-explains-building-an-ethereum-layer-2-we-wanted-the-security-from-ethereum

Friday, January 9, 2026

Senate Republicans race toward crypto vote on bill with uncertain Democratic buy-in

While Senator Cynthia Lummis hints about a circulating Banking Committee draft, the Agriculture Committee says it's still hoping for a bipartisan version.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/09/senate-republicans-race-toward-crypto-vote-on-draft-bill-with-uncertain-democratic-buy-in

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

This is what's (currently) in the way of U.S. crypto market structure bill harmony

Though consequential Senate committee votes may be coming, the talks over the bill's language haven't yet satisfied fundamental requests from Democrats.

source https://www.coindesk.com/news-analysis/2026/01/07/this-is-what-s-currently-in-the-way-of-u-s-crypto-market-structure-bill-harmony

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Strategy surges 6% on MSCI decision not to exclude DATs from indexes

Shares of the Michael Saylor-led firm had been under pressure not just from weak bitcoin prices, but also the chance that the indexing giant might exclude DATs from its indexes.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/06/strategy-surges-6-on-msci-decision-not-to-exclude-digital-asset-treasury-firms-from-indexes

Asset manager Bitwise sees 3 tests for crypto’s 2026 rally

Bitcoin and ether are off to a strong start this year, and Bitwise says the path to new highs hinges on market stability, U.S. legislation and calm equities.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/06/asset-manager-bitwise-sees-3-tests-for-crypto-s-2026-rally

U.S. Senate back to crypto talks as industry's make-or-break bill faces time crunch

Senators met to restart the high-stakes negotiation over the crypto market structure bill, and one of them reportedly said a markup is planned next week.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/06/u-s-senate-back-to-crypto-talks-as-industry-s-make-or-break-bill-faces-time-crunch

Monday, January 5, 2026

A few Republicans have crypto's destiny in their hands at the SEC, CFTC

After holiday leadership shifts, the two U.S. markets regulators — the SEC and CFTC — are now run only by pro-crypto Republicans, with Congress still debating.

source https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/01/05/a-few-republicans-have-crypto-s-destiny-in-their-hands-at-the-sec-cftc

Asia Morning Briefing: Data shows legacy media took a more balanced view of bitcoin in 2025

Media attention shifted from bitcoin’s environmental footprint to crime and kidnapping in 2025, while overall sentiment remained broadly neutral, according to crypto intelligence platform Perception.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/05/asia-morning-briefing-data-shows-legacy-media-took-a-more-balanced-view-of-bitcoin-in-2025

Neobanks will fuel Ethereum's 2026 growth, says ether.fi CEO

Ethereum's next phase will be defined by financial products that feel familiar to everyday users, Mike Silagadze said.

source https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/01/04/neobanks-will-fuel-ethereum-s-2026-growth-says-ether-fi-ceo

Saturday, January 3, 2026

What next for Ripple-linked XRP as price zooms above $2

Traders are watching if XRP can maintain above $2.00, with $1.96 as a critical support level to avoid a return to previous trading ranges.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/03/what-next-for-ripple-linked-xrp-as-price-zooms-above-usd2

Friday, January 2, 2026

XRP jumps 8% above $2 as traders bet on a friendlier SEC

The departure of SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw is seen as potentially paving the way for more crypto-friendly policies.

source https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/03/xrp-jumps-8-above-usd2-as-traders-bet-on-a-friendlier-sec

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