Finance Police

Global cryptocurrency markets endured severe turbulence on February 5, 2026, as Bitcoin experienced its most dramatic single-session decline in over a year, dragging the entire sector lower amid widespread risk aversion.

The leading digital asset tumbled as much as 12.6% intraday, reaching lows near $63,300—its weakest point since October 2024—before partial recovery attempts. This move erased substantial portions of the advances seen following Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory and pro-crypto rhetoric.

Total crypto capitalization has shed approximately $2 trillion from its early October 2025 high of around $4.38 trillion, with roughly $800 billion vanishing in the prior month alone. Bitcoin now sits down roughly 28% year-to-date, while Ethereum has shed nearly 38% in the same timeframe.

Cascading Liquidations Fuel Panic Selling

Forced position closures played a central role in amplifying the downturn. Data from tracking platforms showed nearly $1 billion in Bitcoin leveraged bets liquidated within 24 hours, as cascading price breaches triggered margin calls. This created a feedback loop of intensified selling, pushing values lower and ensnaring more traders.

The broader altcoin space followed suit, with many tokens posting double-digit losses and heightening overall market stress.

Broader Risk-Off Environment Hits Hard

The crypto rout unfolded against a backdrop of retreating appetite for high-volatility assets. Technology equities, particularly those tied to artificial intelligence narratives, faced sharp corrections, spilling over into digital tokens that have increasingly correlated with Nasdaq performance.

Precious metals exhibited unusual swings, with silver dropping significantly in leveraged unwinds, adding to the sense of market fragility.

Monetary Policy Uncertainty Looms Large

Investor nerves were further strained by President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh—a former Fed governor known for hawkish leanings—to lead the Federal Reserve. Markets interpreted this as a potential signal for balance sheet reduction and tighter conditions, reversing the liquidity abundance that historically buoyed crypto rallies.

Experts noted that diminished central bank support removes key tailwinds for speculative assets like cryptocurrencies.

Institutional Flows Turn Negative

Sustained pressure has emerged from traditional finance channels. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the US recorded massive redemptions—exceeding $3 billion in January 2026 alone, following billions in prior months. This trend reflects waning enthusiasm among professional allocators, who appear to be de-risking amid prolonged weakness.

Analysts from major banks attribute much of the ongoing slide to these ETF exits, signaling deeper pessimism in mainstream circles.

Tech Correlation and Miner Vulnerabilities

Bitcoin’s alignment with growth-oriented stocks has become pronounced, meaning AI and software sector pullbacks directly exacerbate crypto declines. Observers warn that persistent low prices could strain mining operations, potentially forcing asset sales or shutdowns that feed further downward pressure.

Retail-heavy ownership adds fragility, as everyday participants often react swiftly to volatility.

Expert Views: Capitulation or Prolonged Reset?

Nic Puckrin of Coin Bureau described the environment as “full capitulation mode,” suggesting this phase extends beyond brief corrections into multi-month resets based on historical patterns. He highlighted whale selling and institutional retreats as dominant forces.

Other voices caution that without renewed liquidity or positive catalysts, downside risks remain elevated, with some technical targets pointing toward $55,000–$60,000 zones if key supports fail.

Looking Ahead

With over half of Bitcoin’s October 2025 peak value erased and sentiment at multi-year lows, the sector faces questions about whether this marks a deeper bear phase or eventual base-building. Upcoming Fed developments, macroeconomic data, and potential policy shifts will likely dictate near-term direction.

For now, heightened caution prevails as participants navigate one of the most challenging periods since major 2022 disruptions.

A fresh examination by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), featured via Carbon Brief, reveals that renewables and associated technologies fueled the bulk of China’s economic momentum last year.

These industries—including solar panels, wind turbines, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles (EVs)—generated a historic 15.4 trillion yuan (around $2.1 trillion) in output during 2025. This represented 11.4% of the country’s overall GDP, a sharp rise from 7.3% in 2022, and placed the sector’s scale ahead of most national economies worldwide, ranking it as the eighth-largest if treated independently.

The value of these clean tech areas nearly doubled in real terms from 2022 to 2025, expanding at an accelerated 18% pace in the latest year—far exceeding the broader economy’s performance.

Critically, without this surge, China would have fallen well short of its official 5% annual growth goal. The sectors contributed more than one-third of total economic expansion, while capturing over 90% of net investment increases nationwide.

Domestic deployment remains the primary focus, with wind and solar additions in recent periods roughly matching the combined totals installed elsewhere on the planet. This massive rollout satisfies rising local electricity needs and supports upgrades to energy storage and grid infrastructure.

Battery advancements stood out as the fastest-growing segment, powering EV adoption and enhanced grid resilience through improved storage solutions.

On the global stage, China’s manufacturing dominance continues to transform energy access. Surging exports of affordable solar modules have driven record installations across developing regions, enabling many countries in Africa and beyond to leapfrog traditional infrastructure. The International Energy Agency has noted that Chinese-led production has delivered the lowest-cost electricity ever recorded, broadening renewable viability worldwide.

Lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta emphasized the broader implications: accelerating adoption in diverse markets signals a worldwide momentum shift, with EVs gaining traction in unexpected locations and solar imports bolstering energy security in the Global South.

This trajectory raises hopes that China—the planet’s top greenhouse gas emitter—may have already achieved or is nearing peak carbon emissions, potentially marking a pivotal moment for international climate efforts if the pace holds.

Challenges persist, however. The coal sector retains significant influence, with developers proposing a record 161 GW of new coal-fired plants in 2025. While actual construction starts dipped compared to prior years and many facilities operate at reduced utilization due to renewables covering demand growth, a substantial pipeline (around 290 GW permitted or underway) risks creating stranded assets and inflating long-term system expenses.

Climate advocates argue this duality highlights an urgent crossroads. Solar is poised to surpass coal in electricity generation for the first time in 2026, underscoring renewables’ superiority in cost, deployment speed, and environmental benefits like improved air quality.

Yet simultaneous coal expansions appear aimed at safeguarding legacy interests amid inevitable decline. The upcoming five-year plan, expected soon, will clarify priorities and determine whether Beijing fully commits to accelerating the shift or hedges with continued fossil reliance.

Overall, the data underscores China’s central role in the global energy pivot: a manufacturing giant turning clean tech into economic strength while navigating internal tensions between innovation and tradition.

Bitcoin (BTC) slumped to its lowest level in over three and a half years, falling to $60,000 on Coinbase before rebounding to reclaim $70,000 and moving to its current level. The flagship cryptocurrency is down 5% during the ongoing session, trading around $66,192. 

The latest downtrend has seen Bitcoin lose 30% in a week as it plunged to $60,000. The magnitude of the downturn has sparked speculation that the sell-off is being driven by an entity facing forced liquidations rather than the usual market jitters. 

Strategy Reports $12.4 Billion Net Loss 

Michael Saylor’s Strategy has reported a $12.4 billion net loss for the fourth quarter. The loss was driven by mark-to-market declines in its Bitcoin holdings. The loss came at a time when the flagship cryptocurrency briefly slipped below the $60,000 mark, putting Strategy’s Bitcoin stash below its cumulative cost basis for the first time since 2023. The decline also wiped out all the gains made during the post-election rally. The company has also not announced new equity issuance or debt financing alongside its earnings, indicating lesser access to liquidity as investor appetite cools. 

Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor has insisted the company faces no margin calls and holds $2.25 billion in cash. Saylor has insisted the company’s cash-in-hand is enough to cover interest obligations for over two years. However, the company is under tremendous pressure as Bitcoin trades well below Strategy’s average acquisition price of $76,052. Strategy also revealed in its quarterly earnings that it does not expect to generate profits in the foreseeable future. 

Strategy’s Bitcoin Now Worth Less Than $50 Billion 

Strategy holds over 713,000 BTC, valued at around $46 billion, according to Bloomberg data. The Bitcoin treasury company added $75.3 million BTC in late January. However, its broader business model is under considerable strain. Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer believes investors are focusing on whether Strategy can raise capital to fund further Bitcoin purchases under increasingly trying market conditions. 

Critics, including ace investor Michael Burry, have warned that if Bitcoin continues declining, it could trigger substantial losses for treasury companies like Strategy. The downturn has also revived short seller concerns about Strategy’s reliance on leverage and non-yielding assets. Strategy shares are currently down nearly 89% from the November 2024 peak. 

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin (BTC) plunged to $60,000 early on Friday, its lowest level since November 2024, as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to 9, its lowest level since 2022. The sentiment index fell to a score of 9 out of 100 on Friday, putting it firmly in “extreme fear” territory. 

Analysts have pointed out that Bitcoin has fallen below its 200-week exponential moving average, a move previously seen during peak bear markets. The downturn means BTC is 50% down from its all-time high of $126,000. Over 588,000 traders have been liquidated for over $2.7 billion, with 85% of them leveraged longs in Bitcoin.  Bitcoin’s downturn comes amid an unprecedented selloff in tech stocks triggered by stretched valuations and concerns about an artificial intelligence bubble. 

Stretched valuations and lingering concerns around an artificial intelligence-driven bubble have long been highlighted by the market. Even Amazon suffered a double-digit decline overnight following a mixed earnings release. Investors are increasingly reassessing Bitcoin’s failure to function as a haven compared to gold.

A popular crypto trader called the sell-off the most vicious selling he had seen in years, adding that it felt “forced” and “indiscriminate.” The trader put forward several possibilities, including a sovereign dump to an exchange balance sheet blowup. 

Bitcoin ended the previous weekend in the red, dropping nearly 3% on Sunday to $86,561. The price recovered on Monday, rising almost 2% to cross $88,000 and settle at $88,250. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the flagship cryptocurrency rose 0.98% to $89,116. BTC briefly crossed the $90,000 mark on Wednesday, reaching an intraday high of $90,476 before settling at $89,162. Selling pressure returned on Thursday as BTC plunged over 5% to $84,513. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price fell to $81,000 before settling at $84,110.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure intensified on Saturday as BTC plunged below the key $80,000 mark, falling to a low of $75,644 before settling at $78,648. Price action remained bearish on Sunday as BTC fell 2.24% to $76,895. The current week started with BTC falling to $74,502, its lowest level since April 2025. The price recovered to reclaim the $78,000 mark and settle at $78,666. Selling pressure returned on Tuesday as BTC plunged to a low of $72,859 before settling at $75,661. Sellers retained control on Wednesday as the price fell 3.52% to $72,998. Selling pressure intensified on Thursday as BTC plunged nearly 14% to $62,791. The flagship cryptocurrency fell to a low of $60,001 on Friday. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $67,000 and move to its current level of $67,296.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Global marine insurers are confronting heightened financial strain from a dramatic upsurge in cargo theft and freight fraud, as criminal operations blend physical attacks with advanced online schemes. Industry leaders stress that these evolving threats are pushing loss ratios higher and demanding a fundamental overhaul of underwriting practices, counterparty evaluations, and preventive measures.

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) EMEA have issued a joint alert detailing intensified cargo-related incidents spanning Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Regions like Latin America and select African countries face especially aggressive, organized violence, while digital tactics gain prominence worldwide.

TAPA’s intelligence database logged nearly 160,000 cargo crimes across 129 nations from 2022 to 2024, resulting in aggregate losses valued in the billions of euros. In North America, 2024 thefts alone tallied $455 million across more than 3,600 cases, averaging over $202,000 per event. For Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, TAPA documented over 108,000 supply-chain thefts in excess of 110 countries during the same timeframe. Among incidents reporting values (about 5%), combined damages surpassed €1 billion—translating to more than €1.3 million lost daily. High-value cases (exceeding €100,000) averaged €878,525.

Beyond conventional risks like vehicle hijackings, warehouse intrusions, and street-level pilferage, fraud now dominates as a primary loss source. Organized groups exploit weaknesses in digital logistics ecosystems, employing tactics such as shell entities, duplicated company identities, counterfeit insurance proofs, spoofed emails, and mimicry websites to intercept shipments.

Thorsten Neumann, TAPA EMEA’s president and CEO, emphasized the fusion of traditional and cyber methods: criminals leverage forged credentials to infiltrate legitimate transport flows. He cautioned that emerging AI technologies could amplify these operations, boosting both occurrence rates and claim magnitudes.

These developments extend challenges for underwriters beyond direct payouts. Bogus operators on online freight marketplaces erode verification protocols, elevate litigation probabilities, and hinder recovery pursuits—especially in multi-party, international claims.

IUMI and TAPA EMEA advocate proactive steps for all supply-chain actors, including insurers, brokers, and logistics providers. Their collaborative recommendations include:

Rigorous screening of carriers, drivers, and intermediaries

Thorough authentication of insurance paperwork and qualifications

Vigilant monitoring for irregular booking patterns or deviations

Prioritizing secure storage, optimized routing, and adherence to established security protocols

Lars Lange, IUMI secretary general, pinpointed digital freight platforms as a critical vulnerability. He urged platforms to implement robust safeguards like multi-factor authentication and enhanced fraud monitoring to curb unauthorized access and reduce preventable insurer exposures.

Amid persistent supply-chain vulnerabilities, cargo underwriters are already adjusting appetites in vulnerable routes, reassessing concentration risks at key nodes, and scrutinizing final-delivery segments. As cyber-enabled fraud merges with on-the-ground threats, policy language, site inspections, and premium structures may require updates to address identities and trustworthiness alongside physical safeguards like tracking devices and barriers.

Ultimately, effective cargo risk management now hinges not only on shipment pathways but critically on verifying the reliability of every party handling goods in an increasingly deceptive environment.

Bitcoin (BTC) plummeted to a multi-month low of $70,091 as selling pressure intensified across the cryptocurrency market, pulling almost all tokens deeper into the red. The crypto market cap fell to $2.41 trillion over the past 24 hours, while the Fear & Greed Index plunged to 11, signaling extreme fear. 

The steep decline was attributed to a renewed sell-off in tech stocks. The sell-off spilled over into the cryptocurrency market, dragging BTC and other major tokens down and casting doubt on hopes of a sustained recovery after its recent relief rally. 

Bhutan Moves Bitcoin (BTC) Stash, Sale Imminent?

Cryptocurrency wallets belonging to his week. The transfers included a $14 million transfer and an $8.3 million transaction linked to an institutional merchant deposit. While the transfers don’t confirm a sale, deposits to merchants or intermediary addresses are generally considered a precedent before an imminent sale. The transfers come amid high selling pressure, with Bitcoin tumbling to multi-month lows. Analysts at Arkham Intelligence stated that the movements were consistent with Bhutan’s pattern of selling BTC in tranches of around $50 million. 

From our observations, Bhutan periodically sells BTC in clips of around $50 million.

US Treasury Secretary Rules Out Bitcoin Bailout 

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated before Congress that the US will retain the Bitcoin it acquired through asset seizures. However, he added that the government will not direct private banks to purchase more of the asset in the event of a downturn. Bessent made the comments during a response to California Congressman Brad Sherman, a known critic of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general. Sherman asked during the hearing, 

Does the Treasury Department or the various components of the Federal Open Market Committee have the authority to bail out Bitcoin.

In response, Bessent stated that, as Secretary of the Treasury, he does not have the authority to do so. 

I am the Secretary of the Treasury. I do not have the authority to do that, and as chair of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), I do not have that authority.

Crypto Firms Offer Concessions To Break Market Structure Bill Gridlock 

Several crypto firms are reportedly offering floating concessions related to stablecoin yields in an attempt to break the impasse over the much-delayed crypto market structure bill. The bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate as negotiations over whether stablecoin issuers should be allowed to offer yield continue. Traditional banks argue that such a move poses a threat to the economy by removing money from traditional savings accounts. If anonymous sources are to be believed, cryptocurrency firms have made new proposals, including giving community banks a larger role in the stablecoin ecosystem, to break the current gridlock. Other proposals include requiring issuers to hold their reserves in community banks and help banks issue their own stablecoins. 

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin (BTC) plunged to a low of $70,091 on Thursday as the ongoing tech rout spilled over into crypto. The flagship cryptocurrency fell nearly 8% early on Thursday, following sharp losses in Asian and US tech shares, amid concerns over AI investments, overvalued valuations, and slow earnings. The concerns have prompted investors to cut exposure to risk assets like Bitcoin, leading to a sharp downturn. 

MSCI’s Asia Tech Index fell for a fifth time in six sessions, largely due to steep losses in South Korea’s Kospi, as AI-linked stocks came under pressure. NASDAQ also registered a steep decline after disappointing earnings from Alphabet, Qualcomm, and Arm reinforced fears that AI investment had peaked faster than market expectations. Bitcoin’s sharp decline comes after a brief relief rally earlier this week when it briefly reclaimed $76,000 before losing momentum again. Wenny Cai, COO at Synfutures, stated, 

Bitcoin’s move below the low-$70,000s has accelerated a broader deleveraging, flushing out crowded positioning built during the post-ETF rally. Liquidations have been heavy, sentiment has swung risk-off, and price action is now being driven more by balance-sheet mechanics than narrative flow.

However, analysts believe the downturn is a sign of fragile conviction rather than a complete trend reversal. 

This doesn’t signal the end of institutional participation, but it does mark the end of complacency.

Bitcoin ended the previous weekend in the red, dropping nearly 3% on Sunday to $86,561. The price recovered on Monday, rising almost 2% to cross $88,000 and settle at $88,250. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the flagship cryptocurrency rose 0.98% to $89,116. BTC briefly crossed the $90,000 mark on Wednesday and reached an intraday high of $90,476 before settling at $89,162. Selling pressure returned on Thursday as BTC plunged over 5% to $84,513. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price fell to $81,000 before settling at $84,110.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure intensified on Saturday as BTC plunged below the key $80,000 mark, falling to a low of $75,644 before settling at $78,648. Price action remained bearish on Sunday as BTC fell 2.24% to $76,895. The current week started with BTC falling to $74,502, its lowest level since April 2025. The price recovered to reclaim the $78,000 mark and settle at $78,666. Selling pressure returned on Tuesday as BTC plunged to a low of $72,859 before settling at $75,661. Sellers retained control on Wednesday as the price fell 3.52% to $72,998. BTC plunged to a low of $70,000 during the ongoing session before moving to its current level of $71,065, down nearly 3%.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitcoin (BTC) slipped back into bearish territory after a brief relief rally as risk-off sentiment returned. Investor sentiment soured after a tech sell-off hit US markets, forcing investors to cut exposure to tech assets. 

Cryptocurrency markets mirrored the downtrend as BTC slipped below $75,000 for the second time this week, dropping to a low of $72,859 on Coinbase before settling at $75,661. 

However, some market experts, including Joe Burnett, Vice President of Bitcoin Strategy at Strive, believe BTC’s recent decline and price action are nothing out of the ordinary. 

Michael Burry Warns Of “Catastrophe” If Bitcoin Continues Dropping 

Legendary investor Michael Burry has warned that if Bitcoin continues its decline, it could trigger a catastrophic $1 billion sell-off in gold and silver. Burry argued that Bitcoin has been projected as a “purely speculative asset,” and has failed as a safe haven asset along the lines of gold. He added that crypto’s correlation with precious metals has created “sickening scenarios” that are now within reach. 

Michael Burry warned that Bitcoin’s ongoing decline could destroy significant value, especially for companies holding large BTC reserves. He said Bitcoin has failed as a safe haven like gold and could push aggressive corporate holders into bankruptcy, triggering broader market fallout. He also highlighted Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 and its impact on recent drops in gold and silver.

Burry’s prediction comes at a time when the flagship cryptocurrency plunged to a low of $72,859, as selling pressure returned after a brief recovery. Burry also warned that Bitcoin treasury companies could face millions in losses. The ace investor highlighted Michael Saylor’s Strategy, stating that it could lose millions if Bitcoin drops another 10%. 

Strategy sees an existential crisis if BTC were to fall to $60,000. This would “find capital markets essentially closed.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin (BTC) plunged under the $75,000 mark the second time this week as selling pressure returned after a brief relief rally that saw the flagship cryptocurrency briefly cross $79,000. Bulls failed to defend the $73,000 mark on Tuesday, extending a broader risk-off sentiment. The flagship cryptocurrency is trading at a 15% year-to-date loss, and is down over 45% from its all-time high of $126,267. BTC’s recent price action has reinforced investor concerns that its bull cycle may have ended. 

Analysts believe the uncertainty in the US stock market is the primary driver of the sell-off across crypto. Investors have long questioned whether the costs tied to AI infrastructure, along with lofty valuations, are sustainable. Investors believe that demand and revenue could fall short of industry projections. Waning investor sentiment is clearly visible across the stock prices of the “Magnificent Seven,” S&P 500, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ. NVIDIA fell 3.4% while Microsoft and Amazon dropped 2.7%. 

Meanwhile, liquidations are adding more pressure on Bitcoin, accelerating the pace of selling. According to the available data, around $127.25 million in Bitcoin long positions have been liquidated. Some analysts have suggested that the decline means Bitcoin is available at a deep discount. However, dip buying by the likes of Strategy has done little to stem the decline. However, Joe Burnett, Strive’s vice president of Bitcoin strategy, says Bitcoin’s price action is “nothing out of the ordinary.”

Bitcoin is down ~40% from its October high while U.S. equities remain near all-time highs, with the S&P 500 down less than 10%. Under those conditions, a possible ~45% bitcoin drawdown aligns closely with historical volatility. Volatility of this magnitude remains a symptom of a rapidly monetizing asset. If equities weaken further, additional downside is certainly possible. Nasdaq is down ~2% today, and the S&P 500 is down ~1.3%. My key takeaway is simple: Bitcoin’s recent volatility reflects normal market behavior within an unstable fiat credit system.

Bitcoin ended the previous weekend in the red, dropping nearly 3% on Sunday to $86,561. The price recovered on Monday, rising almost 2% to cross $88,000 and settle at $88,250. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the flagship cryptocurrency rose 0.98% to $89,116. BTC briefly crossed the $90,000 mark on Wednesday and reached an intraday high of $90,476 before settling at $89,162.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure returned on Thursday as BTC plunged over 5% to $84,513. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price fell to $81,000 before settling at $84,110. Selling pressure intensified on Saturday as BTC plunged below the key $80,000 mark, falling to a low of $75,644 before settling at $78,648. Price action remained bearish on Sunday as BTC fell 2.24% to $76,895. The current week started with BTC falling to $74,502, its lowest level since April 2025. The price recovered to reclaim the $78,000 mark and settle at $78,666. Selling pressure returned on Tuesday as BTC plunged to a low of $72,859 before settling at $75,661. The price is marginally up during the ongoing session, trading around $75,697.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Ebene, Mauritius, February 4th, 2026, FinanceWire

Skyriss Securities (Mauritius) Ltd, a regulated multi-asset online trading broker, today announced the continued expansion of its global platform and client services, reinforcing its long-term strategy of building trader-focused infrastructure grounded in real market experience, operational transparency, and regulatory compliance.

As part of this expansion, Skyriss has strengthened its trading infrastructure, enhanced liquidity partnerships, and scaled its client support operations across key international markets. The company has also invested in platform optimization initiatives aimed at improving execution speed, system resilience, and service availability during periods of elevated market activity. These developments form part of Skyriss’s broader strategy to support sustainable growth while maintaining regulatory alignment and operational integrity.

The company operates under an Investment Dealer License (No. GB25204272) issued by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius and maintains its registered office at Office 133, Ebene Junction, Rue De La Democratie, Ebene, Mauritius.

Founded by market professionals who began their careers on the trading side of the industry, Skyriss was built in response to common challenges faced by active traders, including delayed execution, unclear pricing, inconsistent platform performance, and limited client support. These early experiences formed the foundation of the company’s guiding philosophy: “Built for Traders, By Traders.”

Rather than designing systems solely around commercial objectives, Skyriss developed its platform based on real trading behavior, emphasizing execution stability during volatile market conditions, pricing transparency during high-impact economic events, and reliability during critical decision-making periods.

Founded by seasoned market professionals, Skyriss was built in direct response to the real-world limitations active traders continue to face — from execution delays and opaque pricing to unstable platform performance. These early experiences remain central to the company’s mission of delivering a trading environment defined by consistency, transparency, and long-term client trust.

Today, Skyriss provides clients with access to foreign exchange, commodities, indices, and equities through a robust trading infrastructure that combines institutional-grade liquidity, advanced order routing systems, and automated risk management frameworks designed to support consistent execution and capital protection.

In the United Arab Emirates, Skyriss Financial Consultancy L.L.C operates under regulation by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) under license number 20200000268 for Introduction and Promotion activities. The entity serves as an affiliate partner of Skyriss Financial Ltd (Mauritius) and Skyriss Securities Ltd (St. Lucia), supporting regional client engagement, regulatory alignment, and market development.

The Skyriss leadership team notes that brokerages founded by former traders tend to demonstrate stronger alignment between platform architecture and client requirements, particularly in fast-moving and highly competitive global markets.

Skyriss’s continued investment in technology, compliance, and service infrastructure reflects its commitment to sustainable growth and long-term client relationships.

For more information about Skyriss’s platform, regulatory framework, and service offerings, users can visit www.skyriss.com

Additional resources and educational materials are available to support both new and experienced traders.

About Skyriss

Skyriss Securities (Mauritius) Ltd is a regulated multi-asset brokerage firm offering access to global financial markets, including foreign exchange, commodities, indices, and equities. Operating under the supervision of the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, the company provides trading services supported by institutional liquidity, advanced technology infrastructure, and comprehensive risk management systems.

Founded by experienced market participants, Skyriss is guided by its philosophy, “Built for Traders, By Traders,” and is committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-centric trading solutions. Through its international regulatory framework and regional partnerships, the company continues to expand its presence across key global markets.

https://youtu.be/DDIHm_A6qnI?si=MVtjmzRBfWqu-h-E

Contact

Skyriss Securities (Mauritius) LTD
Info@skyriss.com
+971 52 150 0873

Ebene, Mauritius, February 4th, 2026, FinanceWire

PU Prime launched The Grind, the second phase of its three-part global brand campaign, “Champion in You”, shifting the focus from the decision to begin trading. The Grind turns attention to what happens after that initial spark: the routines, setbacks, and emotional resilience required to stay committed over time.

Developed in alignment with its regional sponsorship of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), PU Prime, dedicated to empowering traders worldwide, created “Champion in You” around the belief that success in trading, much like a champion, is shaped not by moments of inspiration alone, but by consistency, preparation, and the ability to manage emotions under pressure.

Phase 2: The Grind

The Grind highlights the often-unseen realities of trading progress: slow learning curves, repeated effort, loneliness, and periods where effort does not immediately translate into results. Through the video, traders take time to sit down and share experiences of self-doubt and frustration. Rather than focusing on outcomes, The Grind emphasises the process of building routines, learning from losses, and developing emotional control over time.

As one of the interviewed traders, April reflected,

I should treat this as a degree.

For many participants, this phase marked the moment trading became less about ambition and more about commitment.

Discipline Over Motivation

What we want to highlight in this phase is the reality of sustained progress,

said Mr. Daniel Bruce, Managing Director at PU Prime. Trading success is shaped by discipline, routine, and emotional control developed over time, rather than short-term motivation or quick results.

Markets heading into late January 2026 reflect a balance between cautious optimism and elevated risk. In the absence of a clear outlook, resilience becomes increasingly important. The launch of The Grind marks the second chapter of “Champion in You”, reinforcing PU Prime’s belief that long-term progress in trading is shaped by discipline, consistency, and the ability to stay committed through uncertainty.

About PU Prime

Founded in 2015, PU Prime is a leading global fintech company and trusted CFD broker. Today, it offers regulated financial products across forex, commodities, indices, shares, and bonds. Operating in over 190 countries with more than 40 million app downloads, PU Prime provides innovative trading platforms and an integrated copy trading feature, empowering traders worldwide to achieve financial success with confidence.

For media enquiries, users can contact: media@puprime.com 

Contact

Sim
PU Prime
kahlock.sim@puprime.com

New York, New York, United States, February 3rd, 2026, Chainwire

Superform brings a familiar mobile experience to onchain finance, helping users grow their money while keeping full control of their assets.

Today, Superform, the first user-owned neobank, announced its mobile app launch,marking a key milestone in its efforts to build a user-owned neobank. The app extends the reach of Superform’s SuperVaults: non-custodial onchain vaults that automatically deploy user capital across high-performing DeFi strategies such as stablecoin lending and liquidity provisioning. The launch makes DeFi more accessible by delivering a user experience that feels like seamless internet banking while providing access to powerful DeFi returns. The app allows users to earn more yield on their USD, BTC, and ETH, marking the company’s official expansion into the U.S. market.

The app is designed for users who want a simpler way to grow their money without the stress of managing wallets, understanding protocols or navigating multiple chains. Users can create an account, onramp with fiat, and start earning in minutes. Beyond earning, users can swap, send, and manage their money across chains, all while maintaining full custody and control of their assets. 

Deposits are routed through SuperVaults, Superform’s automated savings products that deploys capital across high-performing DeFi strategies such as stablecoin lending and liquidity provisioning. The experience is built to feel familiar to anyone who has used a fintech app while delivering yields that consistently outperform traditional benchmarks. SuperVaults have generated average returns of 8.4% APY, compared to just 4.3% for T-Bills.

You should not need to be technical to earn more onchain,

said Vikram Arun, Co-Founder and CEO of Superform. The mobile app is the next step in our mission to make crypto-native strategies feel like standard financial products. It offers a true set and forget experience where users can deposit once and earn automatically without needing to manage or monitor anything.

While DeFi has matured significantly, consumers still lack a complete financial alternative to traditional banks. Traditional savings options provide near-zero returns after inflation, while crypto-native yield remains fragmented across multiple tools and protocols. Users are forced to choose between the simplicity of custodial platforms that control their assets, or the complexity of self-custody solutions that require technical expertise.

Superform addresses this by building infrastructure that consolidates and simplifies. SuperVaults offer users exposure to curated opportunities through a single, scalable product, eliminating the need to stitch together tools or analyze protocols. With features like boosted APYs, Superform Points, and tiered rewards, the platform combines the performance of DeFi with the usability of traditional financial apps. The mobile app builds on traction from Superform’s desktop platform, which currently manages over $180 million in user deposits across 1000+ vaults, with strategies spanning more than 70 protocols. 

This launch marks the first in a series of major product rollouts and upgrades coming to the Superform ecosystem through the end of the year. For updates, users can visit superform.xyz or follow @superformxyz on X.

About Superform

Superform is the first user owned neo-bank to effortlessly grow your crypto portfolio. Superform helps users maximize returns on their crypto by providing access to over 800 earning opportunities with $10B in TVL across 50 protocols. Superform’s SuperVaults product offers single-transaction deposits into multi-protocol, yield bearing vaults. These “set and forget” opportunities are focused on earning users stablecoin yields. SuperVaults have been audited by yAudit and multiple independent security researchers from Spearbit.

Since launching in Q2 2024, Superform has delivered secure and optimized yield to over 180,000 depositors. Currently, users are earning an average APY of over 8.4%. Backed by $11M in funding from leading investors including VanEck Ventures, Polychain Capital, Circle Ventures, BlockTower Capital, Maven11 Capital, CMT Digital, and Arthur Hayes, Superform Labs is simplifying the path to onchain wealth.

Contact

PR Manager
Aarya Shah
aarya@serotonin.co

Vaduz, Liechtenstein, February 3rd, 2026, Chainwire

A globally respected investor and founder of Real Vision brings decades of financial market insight to xMoney’s leadership team

xMoney, a leading provider of compliant payment infrastructure bridging traditional finance and digital assets, today announced that Raoul Pal has joined the company as a Strategic Advisor.

Raoul Pal is one of the most widely respected macro thinkers of his generation. An investor, entrepreneur, and financial commentator, he has spent decades analyzing how money moves, how markets evolve, and how technological shifts reshape global financial systems. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as global payments transition toward regulated digital rails, stablecoins, and on-chain settlement.

With Raoul’s strategic guidance, xMoney aims to further strengthen its position at the intersection of payments, regulation, and digital assets – building infrastructure that enables seamless value transfer across traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies, and stablecoins.

A Career Spanning Global Finance and Digital Assets

Raoul began his career in traditional finance, holding senior roles at Goldman Sachs, where he led hedge fund sales for equities and derivatives in Europe, and later at GLG Partners, where he co-managed a global macro fund alongside some of the world’s most respected hedge fund managers.

In 2005, he founded Global Macro Investor (GMI), which has since become a trusted research platform for hedge funds, family offices, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, registered investment advisors, and high-net-worth investors worldwide. GMI is widely recognized for its independent macro research and strong long-term performance track record.

Raoul co-founded Real Vision in 2014, transforming financial media by making institutional-grade market intelligence accessible to a global audience. What began as a video-first platform evolved into a global financial knowledge network with millions of users across nearly every country.

The new xMoney advisor is also the co-founder of Exponential Age Asset Management (EXPAAM), an investment firm built specifically for the digital asset economy. Its flagship fund, the Exponential Age Digital Asset Fund, provides curated exposure to top crypto hedge funds by combining macroeconomic frameworks with deep digital asset research.

Supporting the Future of Payments

Raoul’s long-standing belief is that the world is experiencing a structural shift in money, technology, and market infrastructure – not a temporary trend. Payments, in particular, are undergoing one of the most significant transformations in decades.

​​Unlike many payment platforms that expand globally first and retrofit compliance later, xMoney has taken a regional-first approach, building its infrastructure within Europe, one of the most highly regulated financial environments in the world. This strategy enables xMoney to meet stringent regulatory standards from day one, while creating a scalable foundation for global expansion aligned with frameworks such as MiCA.

Crypto only fulfills its promise when it disappears into the background,

said Raoul Pal. The real winners will be the platforms that make global payments simple, compliant, and invisible. That’s what excites me the most about xMoney.

As Strategic Advisor, Raoul will work closely with xMoney’s leadership team, focusing on long-term strategy, market structure, and anticipating how global money movement will evolve as regulated stablecoins, compliant on-chain settlement, and hybrid payment models become foundational financial infrastructure.

We’re building payment rails for the future, starting in the most regulated markets first,

said Gregorious Siourounis, Co-Founder & CEO of xMoney. That discipline gives us a structural advantage as digital assets move into mainstream finance. Raoul’s depth of experience, macro insight, and clarity of thought reinforce our belief that long-term winners in payments will be compliant, scalable, and globally interoperable.

The appointment underscores xMoney’s commitment to building a compliant, scalable payment infrastructure that bridges traditional finance and Web3, enabling businesses and consumers to transact seamlessly across borders, currencies, and technologies.

About xMoney

xMoney is a pioneering payments company with strategic European licenses, focused on building a seamless, secure, and future-ready payments ecosystem. By combining cutting-edge technology, strong regulatory compliance, and a broad product suite spanning traditional and digital assets, xMoney bridges traditional finance and next-generation payment rails.

Website: www.xmoney.com 

Contact

Marketing Lead
Rus Alex
xMoney
alex.rus@xmoney.com

Bitcoin (BTC) and the cryptocurrency market staged a strong relief rally after the weekend bloodbath, which saw prices across the board drop to multi-month lows, triggering billions in liquidations. BTC plunged to a low of $74,502 on Monday before rebounding to reclaim the $78,000 mark and move to its $78,666. 

The latest downtrend has been attributed to regulatory uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic headwinds, and a hawkish outlook for Federal Reserve policy. 

Binance Restores Withdrawals After Disruption 

Binance has restored withdrawals after a brief outage due to technical difficulties. The exchange alerted users about the issue in a post on X, stating, 

We are aware of some technical difficulties affecting withdrawals on the platform. Our team is already working on a fix, and services will resume as soon as possible.

According to reports, the disruption lasted around 20 minutes, with Binance fixing the issue and bringing withdrawals back online. The disruption occurred at a challenging time for the crypto industry, as Bitcoin (BTC) and other tokens plummeted to multi-month lows. According to CoinGlass, around 2.56 billion were liquidated, as digital assets, equities, and metals plunged as part of a broader market pullback.

Strategy Announces Bitcoin Buy Despite BTC Falling Below Average Cost 

Latest SEC filings have revealed that Strategy has bought 855 BTC at around $88,000 per coin. The purchase comes despite the asset falling below its average cost for the first time since 2023. The flagship cryptocurrency started the week above $87,000 before briefly tapping $90,000. However, it lost momentum over the weekend and plunged to a low of $75,000 on Sunday, before dropping even further on Monday. Strategy currently holds 713,502 BTC, purchased for around $54.2 billion. 

Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor hinted at the buy in a cryptic post on X, stating, 

“More orange.”

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin (BTC) made a recovery of sorts after the weekend’s dramatic selloff, which saw billions liquidated as prices fell to multi-month lows. The flagship cryptocurrency slipped below $75,000 on Monday, dropping to a low of $74,502 before recovering to reclaim the $78,000 mark and settling at $78,666. The price is marginally down during the ongoing session, trading around $78,318. 

Spot Bitcoin ETFs also rebounded after a week of heavy outflows, pulling in around $562 million in inflows and breaking a four-day outflow streak that saw around $1.5 billion in outflows. However, analysts have cautioned that ETFs and the broader cryptocurrency market will continue to face pressure due to institutional selling and macro uncertainty. ETFs rebounded late on Monday as Bitcoin recovered from a low of $75,000 to briefly reclaim the $79,000 mark before moving to its current level of $78,316. 

Markets plunged over the weekend, with selling pressure intensified by prolonged liquidations and thin liquidity. Gabe Selby, Head of Research at CF Benchmarks, stated, 

Bitcoin has completed the bearish sequence that began with the October 10 deleveraging event, with the recent washout retesting—and briefly undercutting—the April 2025 ‘Liberation Day’ lows around $74,000.

Bitcoin ended the previous weekend in the red, dropping nearly 3% on Sunday to $86,561. The price recovered on Monday, rising almost 2% to cross $88,000 and settle at $88,250. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the flagship cryptocurrency rose 0.98% to $89,116. BTC briefly crossed the $90,000 mark on Wednesday and reached an intraday high of $90,476 before settling at 89,162.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure returned on Thursday as BTC plunged over 5% to $84,513. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price fell to $81,000 before settling at $84,110. Selling pressure intensified on Saturday as BTC plunged below the key $80,000 mark, falling to a low of $75,644 before settling at $78,648. Price action remained bearish on Sunday as BTC fell 2.24% to $76,895. The current week started with BTC falling to $74,502, its lowest level since April 2025. The price recovered to reclaim the $78,000 mark and settle at $78,666. BTC is marginally down during the ongoing session, trading around $78,324.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Road Town, British Virgin Islands, February 3rd, 2026, FinanceWire

1inch today released the results of a global survey examining DeFi user sentiment heading into 2026, revealing that 72% of respondents worldwide express optimism about the sector’s future. U.S.-based users reported one of the highest confidence levels at 83%, while sentiment across Asian markets was comparatively lower, with respondents in Singapore (64%), Taiwan (63%), and Hong Kong (56%). The survey gathered responses from 8,199 individuals and was conducted by 1inch in collaboration with Bitget Wallet, Ondo, BOB, DaGama, and SafePal.

According to 1inch, growing regulatory clarity and increased institutional participation appear to be contributing to improved user sentiment. While respondents continue to identify structural and operational challenges within DeFi, the survey data indicates that concerns about external factors that could significantly disrupt the sector have moderated.

Analysis by user experience level shows that optimism increases after the first year of participation in crypto. Respondents with more than one year of DeFi experience reported consistently higher positive sentiment of approximately 73%, compared to just over 60% among newer users. Overall, the findings suggest that users with prior exposure to crypto market cycles tend to express greater confidence in DeFi’s longer-term outlook.

Key user priorities and barriers to adoption

The survey also looked into the biggest frustrations of DeFi users, finding that paying gas is the number one annoyance, mentioned by 27% of respondents. Second is security risks with 22%, followed by Failed or slow transactions at 18%, and bridges at 14%. 

When analyzing regulatory concern on its own, U.S. users were found to be more at ease, instead focusing more on practical issues such as security, fees, and gas costs. In contrast, non-U.S. respondents placed a greater emphasis on regulation and market structure, often identifying uncertainty around these factors as a key constraint identified by the respondents. However, it is important to note that perceptions of regulation are subjective and sentiment-driven, rather than an assessment of actual regulatory risk.

Finally, when looking at the factors that influence users to try new projects or assets, liquidity was found to be the dominant factor, cited by 56% of respondents. Trust-related fundamentals then followed, with clear backing and custody (39%), legal and regulatory clarity (37%), and transparency and attestations (35%) all playing a major role in user analysis of projects, according to respondents. This was then followed by on-chain functionality, with 31% valuing the ability to trade on-chain. Unsurprisingly, factors such as brand recognition (10%) and “vibes” (4%) had minimal influence over users actual decision, underscoring that while hype plays a part in attracting attention, its impact on conversion is limited. Thus substance over style remains true in DeFi. 

Confidence in DeFi comes with experience, and experience takes time,

said Sergej Kunz, Co-founder of 1inch. As the industry looks to grow and onboard new users, we must make the process as seamless as possible—reducing friction around gas fees and bridges, while meeting users’ priorities around liquidity, security and trust.

Methodology

The data referenced in this report is drawn from a global user survey conducted by 1inch in collaboration with select DeFi ecosystem projects, including Bitget Wallet, Ondo, BOB, DaGama and SafePal. The survey was distributed across partner social channels, collecting a total of 8,199 responses from DeFi users worldwide. Responses were aggregated and analyzed to assess user sentiment, experience levels, and outlook on the future of decentralized finance.

About 1inch

1inch accelerates decentralized finance with a seamless crypto trading experience for 26M users. Beyond being the top platform for low-cost, efficient token swaps with $600M+ in daily trades, 1inch offers a range of innovative tools, including a secure self-custodial wallet, a portfolio tracker for managing digital assets, a dedicated business portal giving access to its cutting-edge technology, and even a debit card for easy crypto spending. By continuously innovating, 1inch is simplifying DeFi for everyone. 

Website | 1inch Business | 1inch Network | Follow on X | Explore Blog

Contact

PR lead
Pavel Kruglov
1inch
p.kruglov@1inch.io

In the rapidly evolving Canadian fintech landscape, AI continues to drive advancements in cryptocurrency analysis, financial advisory services, and insurance operations. Recent developments highlight how local and global technologies are converging to deliver more accurate, efficient, and accessible financial tools.

Guavy Unveils iOS App for AI-Driven Crypto Market Sentiment Tracking

Calgary-headquartered Guavy, a cryptocurrency intelligence platform established in 2016, has rolled out its dedicated iOS mobile application, making sophisticated AI-based market insights accessible to everyday investors. An Android edition is slated for release in early 2026.

The app leverages a powerful large language model to process and evaluate vast datasets—hundreds of millions of points drawn from roughly 350 diverse channels, including news outlets, blogs, social media, and professional feeds. This multi-source approach assigns weighted importance to inputs, generating clear bullish, bearish, or neutral signals while mitigating individual source biases, as emphasized by founder and CEO Donna Tilden.

Guavy’s institutional API has already attracted UK-based hedge funds and growing interest from family offices, serving as a supplementary data layer rather than a standalone trading trigger. The new consumer-facing app targets retail participants, offering features like risk-profile matching, entry/exit timing guidance, a real-time fear and greed index, customizable watchlists, alerts, and tiered subscriptions (free basic access alongside a premium Plus plan at $59.99 annually for enhanced capabilities).

Looking ahead, Tilden aims to secure additional funding to broaden coverage to tokenized real-world assets and securities. This aligns with industry momentum, such as the New York Stock Exchange’s initiatives for 24/7 tokenized trading of equities and ETFs. Guavy prioritizes seamless integration, positioning it as an attractive option for wealth managers seeking to incorporate advanced sentiment data into client portfolios with minimal implementation hurdles.

VibePlan Secures Key Enterprise Adoption in Financial Planning Sector

Vancouver’s Customplan Financial Advisors Inc. has become the inaugural major client for VibePlan, adopting its specialized Canadian-focused financial planning and analytics solution.

Originally introduced as Evad AI in 2024, VibePlan delivers an intelligent system equipped with behavioral analytics, structured advisory pathways, and client engagement features to strengthen advisor-client connections. Led by president and CEO Dave Faulkner—a veteran entrepreneur behind earlier ventures like FP Solutions and RazorPlan—the platform emphasizes practical, relationship-oriented planning tools tailored to the Canadian market.

This partnership marks a significant milestone, validating VibePlan’s value proposition for scaling advisory practices through AI-enhanced workflows and insights.

Manulife Integrates Adaptive ML for Optimized Small Language Models

Leading Canadian insurer Manulife has partnered with New York-based Adaptive ML to incorporate reinforcement learning-based fine-tuning capabilities into its company-wide AI infrastructure.

Adaptive ML’s platform specializes in refining compact, specialized language models (SLMs) via reinforcement learning techniques. This method enables models to iteratively improve through simulated decision-making, balancing rewards and penalties to achieve superior performance in targeted domains.

Manulife plans to apply these tuned models to streamline operations, including automated underwriting assessments and sales support guidance. According to Global Chief AI Officer Jodie Wallis, combining broad large language models with precisely calibrated specialist models promises enhanced precision alongside substantial cost savings.

These updates underscore Canada’s growing role in AI-infused fintech, from democratizing crypto intelligence to empowering advisors and optimizing enterprise processes.

Recent disclosures from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Epstein Files have uncovered significant links between the late convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein and early cryptocurrency ventures. These documents, part of ongoing releases, detail Epstein’s involvement in funding key players in the crypto space during its nascent phase.

Epstein’s Direct Investment in Coinbase

In December 2014, Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase during its Series C funding round, when the exchange was valued at around $400 million. The deal was arranged through Brock Pierce, co-founder of Tether and Blockchain Capital, a prominent crypto venture firm. Emails show that Epstein used his entity, IGO Company LLC, to make the purchase directly after initial discussions for a fund investment fell through.

This early stake highlighted Epstein’s interest in digital assets, as he received regular investor updates from Blockchain Capital. A 2014 asset list from the DOJ files explicitly records the $3,001,000 Coinbase purchase.

Interactions with Coinbase Leadership

Leaked correspondence reveals that Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase co-founder, was aware of Epstein’s participation. In one email, Ehrsam discussed scheduling a meeting with “Jeff,” expressing flexibility while noting it would be “nice” if convenient. This suggests Ehrsam knew about the investor’s identity and was open to direct engagement.

By 2018, further emails indicate Epstein had secured his allocation. Reports suggest he later sold half of his stake back to Blockchain Capital for approximately $15 million, reflecting substantial returns as Coinbase’s value grew dramatically (leading to its 2021 Nasdaq listing at an $86 billion valuation).

Blockstream Connections and Adam Back’s Response

The documents also link Epstein to Blockstream, a Bitcoin infrastructure company. In 2014, during Blockstream’s $18 million oversubscribed seed round, Epstein’s allocation was increased from $50,000 to $500,000 through a fund managed by Joi Ito, former director of the MIT Media Lab. Emails from co-founder Austin Hill show discussions involving Epstein, Ito, and others like Reid Hoffman.

Adam Back, Blockstream CEO and Bitcoin pioneer, addressed these revelations on X (formerly Twitter). He clarified that Epstein was introduced as a limited partner in Ito’s fund, which briefly held a minority stake in Blockstream. The fund divested its shares months later due to potential conflicts of interest and other concerns. Back emphasized: “Blockstream has no direct nor indirect financial connection with Jeffrey Epstein, or his estate.”

Broader Context and Industry Implications

These revelations spotlight due diligence practices in the early crypto industry, where high-profile investors sometimes entered through intermediaries. While the investments were relatively small in scale, they raise questions about oversight in venture funding.

Note: The presence of names in the Epstein Files does not imply wrongdoing. The documents stem from legal proceedings related to Epstein’s estate and associates.

Los Angeles, California, February 3rd, 2026, Chainwire

Backed by Top Consumer, Crypto and Cultural Investors, BLUFF Quickly Emerges as a Fast-Growing Betting Platform Boasting More Than 125M Bets in Beta

BLUFF, the next-generation betting and entertainment platform, has raised $21 million in strategic investment led by global blockchain technology fund 1kx, with participation from Makers Fund, Maximum Frequency Ventures, Delphi Ventures Founders and other high-profile backers, including sports champion & tech investor, Tristan Thompson. The team includes former senior executives from Stake, Bet365, William Hill and Bodog, drawing on experience operating the world’s leading betting platforms to deliver a truly novel gaming experience. The team will use the funds to advance the innovative betting platform and launch at scale. 

BLUFF is building a social centric betting platform and sportsbook designed for the next generation of players. The platform prioritizes speed, transparency and player alignment, with instant onboarding, real-time settlement, provably fair games and reward systems that allow users to participate directly in the ecosystem they help grow.

When we began building BLUFF, we set out to create a betting platform for the new generation of betters who prioritise fast, high-engagement gameplay, real-time experiences, real stakes and the social energy that defines how players engage online today,

said BLUFF’s Founder. This funding, and the investors who have backed us, validates our mission of what the future of online betting can look like. Novel content, user-experience obsessed, deep community focus, and hyper-engaging for all users. 

The raise follows an exceptional pre-release phase, during which BLUFF has attracted over 600,000 sign-ups, sustained tens of thousands of daily active users and processed over 125,000,000 bets through its beta in 3 months alone. This early traction positions BLUFF as one of the fastest-scaling new betting platforms in the market with strategic partners across crypto, gaming and consumer entertainment.

The speed of execution and level of organic demand we’ve seen from BLUFF is rare,

said Peter Pan, Partner at 1kx. They’re building a category-defining platform with the potential to become the number one destination in betting and entertainment. BLUFF is exactly what the next generation of users is demanding.

Beyond traditional iGaming and sports betting, BLUFF is building a unified experience that blends betting, live prediction markets, binary outcomes, and creator-led community events within a single platform. Bluff also provides a VIP matching program to make the transition from legacy platforms such as Stake, Shuffle and Rollbit to Bluff as seamless as possible, offering market-leading bonuses, rewards and world-class VIP service through a 24/7 VIP concierge. 

We are thrilled to back the BLUFF team,

said Andrew Willson, Partner at Makers Fund. They bring a deep, nuanced understanding of player needs combined with an innovative approach to company building and platform design. By prioritizing players and offering a differentiated experience, we expect BLUFF to become a disruptive brand in the betting space.

To learn more and play now, visit Bluff.com.

####

About BLUFF

BLUFF is built for the new generation of players. A global sports betting and iGaming platform where gaming, real stakes, culture, and community merge into a single, continuous loop to meet today’s users’ demands. It starts as a betting platform and sportsbook and evolves into something much bigger, with novel bet types, loot boxes, and trading that make for a unique betting experience. Backed by global blockchain technology fund 1kx, the founding team includes senior executives and operators from Stake, Bet365, William Hill, Bodog, YOLO and other category-defining platforms, bringing decades of experience at the highest levels of betting and gaming.

About 1kx

1kx is a research-driven, fundamentals-focused global investment firm. Founded in 2018 by tech entrepreneurs Lasse Clausen and Chris Heymann, 1kx invests at key inflection points for blockchain technologies to create breakthrough opportunities across industries. The firm’s mission is to develop the domain expertise and thought leadership required to accelerate the most consequential markets emerging at the intersection of blockchain and the broader economy. As one of the top-performing and most institutionalized funds in the blockchain space, 1kx partners with a diverse global investor base, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, foundations, fund of funds, corporations, and family offices. Renowned for its hands-on approach, technical rigor, and unwavering long-term commitment to founders, 1kx has empowered over 150 visionary startups to scale transformative projects while delivering enduring returns for its investors.

To learn more, visit https://1kx.capital/ or @1kxnetwork on X.

Contact

BLUFF
press@bluff.com

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 3rd, 2026, FinanceWire

STARTRADER announced the launch of a basketball court renovation project at Ban Nam Lad School in Thailand as part of its “Where Tomorrow STARS Begin” corporate social responsibility initiative.

The project involved the construction of an 18×12 meter multi-purpose basketball court. In addition, STARTRADER is providing sports equipment to students, with the aim of supporting physical activity and encouraging teamwork within the school.

Details of the Project

The basketball court, scheduled to be unveiled on February 16th, will be used by almost 100 students, with ages ranging from 4 to 12. However, as the broker aims to benefit the community at large, the wider local community in the surrounding villages of Ban Wong Bo and Ban Nam Lat will have access to the court as well. Whereas on January 30, the groundbreaking ceremony took place, marking the start of construction on the following day.

The campaign took place at a strategic time, as the broker had earlier in the year announced partnerships with several leading sports brands. The name chosen for the campaign highlights the values the company has emphasized through its partnerships: high-level performance, precision in execution, and discipline.

This campaign stands as a translation of these values into meaningful action, as stated by the CEO of STARTRADER, Peter Karsten:

STARTRADER’s goal is to make a difference, and this time through sports. Giving the youth in Thailand the chance to improve their skills and build their confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

The principal of the school, Wirot Sukreedist, also highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating: “On behalf of the faculty, students, and staff of Ban Nam Lad School, we would like to express our profound gratitude to STARTRADER for their generous support in the construction and donation of our new futsal and basketball courts.

These facilities are more than just a sports ground; they are a precious gift that provides our students with the opportunity to hone their athletic skills, improve their physical well-being, and learn valuable life lessons outside the classroom. We are committed to maintaining and utilizing these courts to their fullest potential for the benefit of our students’ future development.”

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global broker that provides its clients with opportunities to trade financial instruments online. STARTRADER services both Partners and Retail Clients, who can trade using the MetaTrader Platform, the STAR-APP, and using STAR-COPY. As a global broker, STARTRADER holds a client-first approach as our core principle.

Regulated in 5 jurisdictions (ASIC, FSA, FSC, FSCA, and CMA), STARTRADER upholds strong governance alongside sustainable growth. STARTRADER’s team comprises dedicated professionals working collaboratively to deliver quality service to its Partners and Clients.

Contact

Global PR Manager
Janna Magabilen
STARTRADER
janna.magabilen@startrader.com

In this Article

World Liberty Financial Overview

Key Deal Details and Timeline

Fund Distribution Breakdown

Official Statements and Denials

Broader Context and Implications

Sheikh Tahnoon’s Background

Takeaways

A powerful Abu Dhabi royal, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reportedly secured a 49% ownership in the Trump-associated crypto platform World Liberty Financial through a $500 million transaction.

The agreement was finalized shortly before President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, with initial funds partially allocated to family-linked entities.

Company representatives emphasize no direct role by President Trump or key appointee Steve Witkoff post-inauguration, defending the deal as standard private business practice.

According to an exclusive Wall Street Journal investigation citing internal records and informed sources, representatives acting for Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan finalized an agreement with Eric Trump to acquire nearly half of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency initiative tied to the Trump family.

The $500 million purchase granted the UAE-linked group a 49% equity position in the venture. The signing occurred just days prior to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025.

An upfront payment of $250 million was made, with reports indicating $187 million routed to entities controlled by Trump family members. Additional portions—around $31 million each—were directed toward organizations connected to Steve Witkoff’s family (a co-founder and current U.S. special envoy for the Middle East) and to affiliates of other co-founders Zak Folkman and Chase Herro.

The balance of $250 million was scheduled for payment by mid-July 2025, though specifics on its final allocation remain unclear.

In response to inquiries, World Liberty Financial spokesperson David Wachsman stated firmly that President Trump and Steve Witkoff maintained zero involvement in this specific arrangement or any company operations following their assumption of official government roles.

He described suggestions of special scrutiny on this private U.S. firm as unreasonable and contrary to American business norms, stressing the transaction served the company’s strategic goals.

A White House representative noted that the president’s holdings are placed in a trust overseen by his children. Sources close to the investment indicated the sheikh and select partners evaluated the opportunity over several months before proceeding.

Sheikh Tahnoon’s Profile

Sheikh Tahnoon serves as the UAE’s national security adviser, holds a deputy ruler position in Abu Dhabi, and oversees the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a sovereign fund exceeding $1 trillion in assets. Known in some circles as the “Spy Sheikh” for his intelligence oversight, he wields significant influence across global finance, technology, and security sectors.

The investment has sparked discussions about potential overlaps between international diplomacy and private enterprise, particularly given subsequent U.S. decisions allowing UAE access to advanced AI semiconductors. However, company officials categorically reject any linkage between the equity purchase and policy outcomes.

World Liberty Financial, which promotes decentralized finance solutions and has introduced governance tokens like WLFI, continues operations under leadership from Trump and Witkoff family members in advisory capacities.

This development highlights the intersection of cryptocurrency innovation, high-level geopolitics, and family business interests in the evolving digital asset landscape.

Bitcoin (BTC) slumped to a low of $74,502 on Coinbase early on Monday as the crypto market selloff continued unabated. The downtrend has seen BTC lose nearly $800 billion since hitting its all-time high of $126,000 in October 2025. It also knocked the flagship cryptocurrency out of the global top ten assets, as crypto liquidations hit $2.6 billion. 

The US Dollar recovery after Kevin Warsh was nominated as the next Federal Reserve Chair, escalating tensions between the US and Iran, and unprecedented liquidations have sparked panic across crypto, gold, silver, and US Stock futures. The cryptocurrency market cap has plunged to $2.57 trillion, down nearly 3% over the past 24 hours. 

Crypto Selloff Due To Low Liquidity: Analyst 

Raoul Pal, founder and CEO of Global Macro Investor, believes the market capitulation over the weekend, which saw $250 billion wiped out, is due to a shortage of liquidity, rather than a crypto-specific issue. Pal stated, 

The big narrative is that BTC and crypto are broken. The cycle is over.

However, Pal explained that this is not the case, highlighting a similar decline in Software as a Service (SaaS) stocks. Bitcoin and SaaS stocks have fallen significantly in recent sessions. The decline is noteworthy as both assets are considered long-duration assets, with their value based on expected future cash flows and adoption. This makes them highly sensitive to changes in liquidity and interest rates. 

The rally in gold essentially sucked all marginal liquidity out of the system that would have flowed into BTC and SaaS. There was not enough liquidity to support all these assets, so the riskiest got hit.

The situation has been exacerbated by the government shutdowns and “issues with US plumbing.”

Investors Pull $2.8B In Two Weeks 

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading below the average cost basis of US spot Bitcoin ETFs after they recorded their second and third-largest outflow weeks in January. According to CoinGlass data, spot Bitcoin ETFs have $113 billion in assets under management, and hold around 1.28 million BTC at an average cost basis of around $87,830 per Bitcoin. BTC plunged below $75,000 early on Monday, indicating that the average Bitcoin ETF purchase is now underwater. Galaxy’s head of research, Alex Thorn, stated, 

This means the average Bitcoin ETF purchase is underwater.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw over $2.8 billion in outflows over the past fortnight, according to CoinGlass data. Meanwhile, Nick Ruck warned that waning demand could push Bitcoin into a bear market. Ruck stated, 

The crypto market continues its sell-off as Bitcoin falls to around $76,000 amid heightened macro uncertainty, while the proposed US CLARITY Act stalls. Despite Trump’s crypto-friendly pick for the next Fed chair, investors are de-risking due to continuous geopolitical conflicts and dollar instability as the US economy struggles between rising unemployment and inflation. BTC may enter into a bear market if it continues to drop further, as technical indicators showcase long-term sell pressure patterns forming if demand doesn’t recover soon.

Strategy Stares At Unrealized Losses 

Michael Saylor’s Strategy is staring at a $900 million unrealized loss. The company’s Bitcoin stash turned red after the asset fell below $75,000, slightly lower than its average holding cost of $76,037 per Bitcoin. 

As Bitcoin fell below $75,000, Michael Saylor’s Strategy’s 712,647 BTC is facing an unrealized loss of over $900 million.

Strategy recently announced its latest Bitcoin acquisition, purchasing 2,932 BTC for $264 million for the week ending January 25. A fresh decline could put substantial pressure on Strategy’s stock and Bitcoin holdings. 

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis 

Bitcoin (BTC) slumped to its lowest level in April 2025 early on Monday, falling to a low of $74,502 before rising to its current level of $77,536. The decline has been attributed to trade tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty, persistent selling pressure, and thin liquidity. Analysts stated that long-term holders are also locking in their profits after last year’s rally, and expect BTC to trade sideways rather than embarking on an immediate recovery.

The weekend selloff wiped out around $111 billion from the total crypto market capitalization, while around $1.7 billion in leveraged long and short positions were liquidated. The downturn comes amid declining liquidity and waning investor interest, suggesting that the market is struggling to attract new capital. Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuanty, stated that Bitcoin’s realized capitalization has flatlined. 

Bitcoin is dropping as selling pressure persists, with no fresh capital coming in. Realized Cap has flatlined, meaning no fresh capital. When market cap falls in that environment, it’s not a bull market.

Ju added that early Bitcoin holders have been sitting on significant unrealized profits after the Strategy and Bitcoin ETF-driven rally. However, profit-taking has continued, and is currently coinciding with a steep drop in demand, amplifying the ongoing downtrend. 

Early holders are sitting on big unrealized gains thanks to ETFs and MSTR buying. They’ve been taking profits since early last year, but strong inflows kept Bitcoin near 100K. Now those inflows have dried up.

Strategy, one of the biggest drivers of the recent rally, has seen the value of its holdings dip into the red after Bitcoin’s drop to $75,000. However, the decline does not create any immediate financial concern for the Bitcoin treasury company. Wu added that a substantial decline in Bitcoin prices is unlikely unless Strategy starts selling its stash. 

MSTR was a major driver of this rally. Unless Saylor significantly dumps his stack, we won’t see a -70% crash like previous cycles. Selling pressure is still ongoing, so the bottom isn’t clear yet, but this bear market will likely form a wide-ranging sideways consolidation.

Bitcoin (BTC) ended the previous weekend in the red, dropping nearly 3% on Sunday to $86,561. The price recovered on Monday, rising almost 2% to cross $88,000 and settle at $88,250. Buyers retained control on Tuesday as the flagship cryptocurrency rose 0.98% to $89,116. BTC briefly crossed the $90,000 mark on Wednesday and reached an intraday high of $90,476 before settling at 89,162.

Source: TradingView

Selling pressure returned on Thursday as BTC plunged over 5% to $84,513. Buyers retained control on Friday as the price fell to $81,000 before settling at $84,110. Selling pressure intensified on Saturday as BTC plunged below the key $80,000 mark, falling to a low of $75,644 before settling at $78,648. Price action remained bearish on Sunday as BTC fell 2.24% to $76,895. The current week started with BTC falling to $74,502, its lowest level since April 2025. However, it has clawed back to reclaim $77,000 and is trading around $77,670.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

International asset managers are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to refine their investment approaches in the Chinese market, moving beyond traditional reliance on local experts to more data-driven, efficient strategies.

Global financial institutions are transforming how they analyze and engage with China’s economy by incorporating advanced AI technologies into their decision-making frameworks. This evolution reflects broader industry shifts toward automation and the rising strategic value of the Chinese marketplace.

Historically, overseas investors depended heavily on seasoned specialists with deep knowledge of local regulations and trends. Today, major players are building AI capabilities to process vast datasets, forecast trends, and adapt swiftly to shifts.

Hedge fund leader Bridgewater Associates exemplifies this trend. The firm recently advertised a role for a Chinese Policy AI Research Associate in New York, seeking Mandarin proficiency, insight into China’s governance and AI landscape, plus expertise in large language models. The position commands a competitive salary of $160,000–$225,000 annually.

Co-CIO Greg Jensen has emphasized evolving workforce priorities toward data science talent. Bridgewater established its Artificial Investment Associate Lab in 2023 to pivot toward machine-learning-driven processes and introduced an ML-focused fund in 2024. These moves aim to improve forecasting accuracy and returns, including applications tailored to China.

BlackRock employs its Systematic Active Equity framework, blending alternative data sources with AI. According to Chief Investment Officer Wang Xiaojing, the system analyzes news, social platforms, and reports to assess sentiment and detect early fundamental shifts. It then dynamically weighs signals for faster market responses.

While BlackRock operates a comprehensive ML-powered global model, its rollout for China-specific tactics is still nascent, as noted in discussions with financial media.

Industry observers anticipate AI will automate routine data handling, elevate research productivity, and foster seamless human-AI teamwork. Firms like Guangzhou’s Xuanyuan Investment foresee this collaboration as standard practice.

This transition underscores foreign institutions’ heightened focus on AI-enhanced research for China, driven by both technological momentum and the market’s expanding significance.

Optimism prevails for 2026 Chinese assets. Multiple leading managers highlight enduring strengths in the technology domain, particularly AI, aerospace, low-altitude economy, and innovative consumer areas.

Fidelity’s Zhang Xiaomu anticipates outperformance in growth-oriented stocks through much of the year, with robust gains in those high-potential sectors.

Broader forecasts reinforce this positivity, with AI-related capital spending projected to fuel economic momentum and support equity performance in China.

(Images from the original article, such as the humanoid robot at the Macao expo and robotic demonstrations in Barcelona, illustrate the innovative tech landscape driving these investment shifts.)

This strategic pivot positions global firms to capitalize more effectively on China’s evolving opportunities in a tech-driven era.

Friday’s Market Performance

NVDA shares finished the prior session lower by 0.7%, settling at $191.13 amid broader Wall Street declines. The drop followed elevated U.S. producer price data and uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s pick of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve, replacing Jerome Powell. Analysts note markets are adjusting to evolving monetary policy signals and leadership changes.

Huang’s Bold OpenAI Statement

During a visit to Taipei, Taiwan, on Saturday (local time), Huang addressed recent speculation head-on. He described Nvidia’s planned contribution to OpenAI’s ongoing funding round as potentially “the largest investment we’ve ever made,” while dismissing reports of dissatisfaction as “nonsense.” Huang emphasized strong belief in OpenAI’s mission and confirmed active participation, though he clarified the amount would fall well short of the previously discussed $100 billion figure from September announcements.

This comes after a Wall Street Journal report indicated the original megadeal faced hurdles, prompting Nvidia to reevaluate terms amid competitive pressures from players like Alphabet and Anthropic. An Nvidia representative reaffirmed the company’s decade-long role as OpenAI’s go-to partner for advanced GPUs essential to training large language models.

Investor Implications and AI Demand Signals

Huang’s remarks spotlight accelerating AI infrastructure buildouts by leading hyperscalers and AI firms. Nvidia’s GPUs remain central to these expansions, making any shifts in major customer commitments—such as OpenAI’s fundraising progress—critical for forecasting chip order volumes and data center timelines.

Traders are weighing whether this represents routine single-client news or hints at broader challenges for OpenAI’s capital-raising efforts, which could influence near-term demand for Nvidia hardware.

Institutional Ownership Update

A recent SEC filing disclosed that The Vanguard Group held approximately 2.27 billion NVDA shares as of December 31, equating to 9.32% ownership. The filing mentioned an internal restructuring, with some Vanguard entities expected to report holdings individually moving forward.

Analyst Optimism Amid Cautions

Wolfe Research recently boosted its price objective to $275 from $250, citing robust appetite for Nvidia’s integrated “rack-scale” solutions and climbing average selling prices in high-performance computing segments. Such upgrades reflect confidence in sustained AI-driven revenue growth.

However, downside scenarios persist: Any slowdown, downsizing, or added scrutiny in OpenAI’s round might prompt customers to defer purchases, triggering volatility in NVDA shares—especially with earnings on the horizon.

Upcoming Catalysts

Nvidia’s fiscal quarter results are scheduled for release on February 25, accompanied by a conference call at 5 p.m. ET. Pre-earnings commentary from the CFO earlier that day could provide fresh insights into order trends, guidance adjustments, and whether OpenAI-related momentum features prominently.

Investors continue monitoring these developments closely, as Nvidia’s trajectory remains tightly linked to the explosive expansion of generative AI technologies and data center investments worldwide. Stay tuned for Monday’s opening bell and potential pre-market reactions.