Banks vs. Crypto: White House Hosts Talks on Stablecoin Rewards and Regulation
The White House is convening a high-profile meeting between cryptocurrency industry leaders and major banking executives to tackle one of the most contentious issues holding up U.S. crypto legislation: whether stablecoins should be allowed to offer yield-like rewards.
The talks, organised by the White House’s crypto policy council, are part of efforts to break a legislative impasse over the CLARITY Act, a bill aimed at creating a unified federal framework for digital assets but currently stalled in the Senate. Stablecoin yield provisions — in particular whether crypto platforms can offer rewards for holding dollar-pegged tokens — have emerged as a central sticking point between banks and crypto firms.
Why this matters:
Banks warn that allowing stablecoins to pay interest-like returns could draw deposits away from traditional banks, threatening their funding base and lending capacity.
Crypto firms argue that yield and reward features are critical for user adoption, liquidity and competitiveness, particularly in decentralized finance. Restricting them could limit innovation and drive capital offshore.
The outcome of these talks could influence whether the CLARITY Act advances through the Senate or stalls further, affecting the regulatory landscape for stablecoins and digital asset services across the U.S.
In addition to industry groups like the Blockchain Association and major exchanges, federal regulators such as the SEC and CFTC have signalled a cooperative tone ahead of the discussions, reinforcing the importance of compromise.
$12B January Volume: Prediction Markets Defy Crypto Downturn With Record Activity
Even as major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced sharp sell-offs, prediction markets posted all-time high trading activity, underscoring a growing shift in trader behaviour toward event-based and outcome-driven markets rather than pure price speculation.
According to on-chain analytics, prediction markets surpassed $12 billion in total trading volume in January, a new benchmark for the sector and a sign that weekly activity has consistently been very strong.
Mid-January alone saw over $2.7 million in weekly fees generated — a record for the market — with platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket and Opinion driving the growth through a wide range of event contracts.
Some reports show weekly volumes hitting upwards of several billion dollars, even as crypto prices trend lower, indicating capital is rotating into event-based speculation on political, macroeconomic and sports outcomes.
This surge highlights prediction markets’ resilience and rising prominence as traders seek alternative ways to express views on future events (e.g., Fed decisions, elections, sports results) without necessarily holding underlying digital assets directly.
Dash is navigating a period of high-stakes volatility, currently trading near $43.15. Following a spectacular mid-January rally that saw DASH surge over 125% to reach local highs of $88, the asset has entered a significant correction phase, losing nearly 30% of its value in the last week alone.
2026 Forecast Summary
Market sentiment is currently split between short-term "Extreme Fear" and long-term optimism tied to the upcoming Evolution platform launch.
| Period | Potential Low | Potential High | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $39.00 | $70.00 | Volatile |
| Mid 2026 | $55.00 | $100.00 | Recovery |
| End 2026 | $65.00 | $150.00+ | Bullish |
Key Market Catalysts
* Dash Evolution Launch: Scheduled for late Q1/early Q2 2026, this massive upgrade introduces decentralized data storage and "user-friendly" usernames, potentially shifting Dash from a payment coin to a programmable network.
* Regulatory Headwinds: New "anonymous crypto" bans in major markets like Russia and pending EU privacy regulations remain the primary weight on price appreciation.
* Technical Rebound: While short-term charts are bearish, a bullish divergence on the 14-day RSI suggests the current $40–$43 zone may serve as a strong accumulation bottom.
$DASH
{spot}(DASHUSDT)
@Plasma Upgrades: What’s Changing and Why It Matters
has been improving quietly, and the latest upgrades are more than small technical changes. They show a move from being just a promising idea to becoming something that feels like real infrastructure. Instead of chasing flashy new features, Plasma has focused on strengthening the core of the network so it can handle real usage in a reliable way.
The main goal of these upgrades is better performance and consistency. #Plasma has improved how the network runs so it can process more transactions and confirm them faster. This is especially important for stablecoin transfers, which now settle quickly and smoothly even when the network is busy. These kinds of improvements are what turn early experiments into systems people can actually trust with real money.
Another major change is around fees and ease of use. Plasma’s paymaster system lets users send USDT without holding a separate gas token. This removes one of the biggest headaches for everyday users. People don’t need to understand token mechanics just to move stablecoins, which makes the experience feel closer to using regular money.
Plasma combines its own custom consensus system with an EVM-compatible execution layer. In simple terms, this means the network is fast and secure, while still being easy for developers to build on. Existing tools and apps can work with Plasma without needing major changes. The upgrades make the chain faster and simpler, not more complicated.
Governance is also improving in the background. Token holders are getting more influence over how the network develops. As more community members take part, decisions rely less on a small group and more on shared input, which matters for long-term health.
The big picture is this. Plasma is not just improving branding or marketing. It is strengthening the core systems that decide how the network performs under stress. These upgrades make low-cost, instant stablecoin transfers possible at scale and help position Plasma as a serious foundation for real financial use.
$XPL
$0G showing early base formation — relief bounce likely.
🟢 LONG
Entry Zone: 0.620 – 0.635
Stop Loss: 0.585
Target 1: 0.680
Target 2: 0.720
$0G has reacted from a well-defined demand area after an extended downtrend. The recent push off the lows appears corrective but constructive, with price reclaiming short-term support and downside momentum easing.
Volume picked up on the bounce, RSI is stabilizing near the midline, and as long as price holds above the recent base, a move toward the EMA cluster and prior supply zone is the higher-probability path.
This is a counter-trend long, so execution and risk control matter.
Trade $OG with discipline 👇
{future}(0GUSDT)
#0GUSDT
UK Rate Decision: BoE Likely to Hold in February Amid Mixed Economic Signals
The Bank of England (BoE) is widely expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 3.75% when it announces its decision at the February 5 policy meeting. Economists and market participants see a hold on borrowing costs as nearly certain amid a complex mix of inflation and economic signals.
Curbing inflation remains a priority: Despite a series of rate cuts in 2025, UK inflation remains above the BoE’s 2% target, with the headline rate still elevated. This has encouraged policymakers to adopt a cautious stance rather than cutting again immediately.
Economic signals mixed: While wage growth and some real-side data point to slowing momentum, other indicators such as resilient consumer spending and activity suggest the economy isn’t weakening sharply — complicating the case for near-term rate cuts.
Future cuts still possible: Most economists believe that a rate cut could come later in 2026 — potentially in March or the second quarter — if inflation continues to moderate and labour market slack increases. However, for the immediate February meeting, the consensus is firmly in favour of a hold.
Investors and analysts will closely watch the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) statement and forward guidance, particularly any comments on wage trends and inflation expectations, for clues on when rate cuts might resume.
Fed Hawkish Bets Spark Broad Commodity Rout — Metals Lead Downside
Global commodity markets experienced a broad downturn as rising expectations for a hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve leadership and interest-rate stance triggered heavy selling across metals, oil and other risk assets.
Gold & silver plunged sharply: Gold dropped around 9%–12% from recent peaks, sliding to multi-week lows, while silver fell double digits, extending heavy volatility after record highs last week as investors unwound long positions. Precious metals have shed trillions in paper value amid the sell-off.
Hawkish shift fueled the sell-off: Markets reacted to rising bets that new Federal Reserve leadership or a more hawkish policy path — including higher or persistent elevated interest rates — could strengthen the U.S. dollar and raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding commodities like gold and silver.
Commodity weakness broadened globally: Oil and base metals also slumped, confirming that traders were rotating capital away from commodities toward interest-sensitive assets as expectations adjusted around monetary policy and rate trajectories.
Analysts say the move is a market correction following recent rallies and reflects how sensitive commodities are to central bank signals — especially when rate expectations flip toward tightening or reduced easing.
Why the Poseidon Hash Function Matters on Dusk
Dusk uses the Poseidon hash — a hash function specifically designed for zero-knowledge proof systems. Traditional hashes like SHA-256 are inefficient in ZK circuits, but Poseidon works efficiently with algebraic operations required in zk-SNARKs, making proof generation faster and more practical. It provides secure, unique hashing for transactions, Merkle trees, and proof systems, ensuring data integrity and privacy on chain.
#dusk $DUSK @Dusk_Foundation
BTC on the daily chart is forming a Head and Shoulder pattern, and price has already slipped below the neckline. This shows momentum cooling after a long run, not panic, just structure playing out.
Trade idea (Educational):
• Entry: 78,500 to 79,200 zone (neckline retest)
• Stop Loss: Above right shoulder near 83,500
• Take Profit 1: 64,000
• Take Profit 2: 49,500
If price reclaims the neckline and holds above it, this setup becomes invalid. Patience matters more than prediction here.
Markets move in cycles. Strong traders wait for confirmation, weak hands rush on emotion.
Do your own analysis before any trade.
$BTC
{spot}(BTCUSDT)
#bitcoin #BinanceSquare #MarketCorrection
Why Walrus Is More Cost-Efficient Than Traditional Web3 Storage
Walrus is designed to make large-scale data storage cheaper without sacrificing trust. Instead of full data replication, Walrus uses advanced erasure coding, splitting blobs into smaller shards distributed across many nodes. This means the network can recover data even if some nodes go offline—without storing full copies everywhere. Compared to traditional cloud or on-chain storage, this sharply reduces redundancy costs. For builders, especially rollups and data-heavy apps, Walrus offers predictable pricing, efficient bandwidth usage, and long-term data availability backed by cryptographic proofs—not blind trust.
#walrus $WAL @WalrusProtocol
Solana Tops Revenue and DEX Volume Charts — $1.5T in Annual Trading Power
The Solana blockchain continues to outpace competitors in key metrics, with data showing major leadership in decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume and overall ecosystem revenue. According to multiple reports, Solana-based DEXs processed an annualized ~$1.5 trillion in trading volume during 2025, reflecting 57% year-over-year growth, with SOL-stablecoin pairs alone handling ~$782 billion of that activity.
Solana’s network-level revenue climbed sharply, with roughly $1.4 billion in fees and ecosystem earnings, driving increased adoption and participation across DeFi platforms. Solana also stands out with high weekly DEX volume figures — up to about $29 billion at peak — surpassing rival blockchains such as Ethereum and Base in decentralized market activity.
Market analytics show that Solana commands a significant share of retail DEX trading, with around 48% of total DEX volume attributed to its ecosystem according to recent industry reports. While Ethereum still leads in institutional-sized trades, Solana’s retail activity and low-fee trading environment have made it a hub for DeFi liquidity and decentralized trading.
This combination of high DEX volume and expanding revenue streams underscores Solana’s competitive positioning in the broader blockchain and DeFi landscape as traders and developers gravitate toward efficient, high-throughput networks.
Singapore Gold Demand Soars 48% Despite Price Pullback — Record Investment Interest
Retail and investment appetite for gold in Singapore has surged sharply even as prices have corrected from recent peaks, highlighting continued interest in the safe-haven metal amid global economic uncertainty. According to the World Gold Council’s 2025 data, investor demand in the city-state climbed 48% year-on-year to a record 9.6 tonnes, the strongest growth in Southeast Asia, driven by geopolitical risk and diversification strategies.
While gold jewellery consumption in Singapore declined as elevated prices reduced retail spending power, investment vehicles such as bars, coins and ETFs saw robust inflows, reinforcing gold’s enduring appeal as a hedge even after corrections in spot prices. The report noted that global investment demand also hit historic highs as markets maintained appetite for bullion despite broader volatility.
This trend indicates that lower or corrected prices may be attracting long-term and retail buyers who view gold as a portfolio diversifier and risk mitigation asset.
Toncoin (TON) is navigating a period of technical consolidation, currently trading near $1.50 (approx. ₹125). Following a challenging January that saw a 20% decline, TON is testing critical support levels as it prepares for a major infrastructure-led recovery.
2026 Forecast Summary
Market sentiment is currently "Cautiously Bullish," with technical indicators showing an oversold RSI (below 30). Analysts expect a relief bounce toward $2.20 by March, provided the broader market stabilizes.
| Period | Potential Low | Potential High | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $1.35 | $2.40 | Oversold / Recovering |
| Mid 2026 | $3.50 | $7.50 | Bullish |
| End 2026 | $6.00 | $12.00+ | Optimistic |
Key Market Drivers
* The "Telegram" Moat: With nearly 1 billion active users, Telegram’s deep integration of the TON wallet and new "Mini App" gamification (like Otters) continues to drive retail onboarding.
* Major 2026 Upgrades: The Q1 launch of TON Storage and the mid-year TON BTC Teleport (a native Bitcoin bridge) are expected to significantly boost ecosystem utility.
* Institutional Entry: Recently, Russia included TON in its retail crypto list, and private placements by institutional giants now account for 12% of the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) market.
While TON remains beneath its 200-day moving average, a break above $1.65 could signal the end of the current downtrend.
$TON
{spot}(TONUSDT)
ING: Euro Rally Unlikely to Force ECB Action
Despite the euro’s sharp appreciation to near $1.20 vs. the U.S. dollar, ING analysts and market commentary suggest that the European Central Bank (ECB) is unlikely to change its monetary policy stance solely because of currency gains. Analysts note that while a stronger euro could theoretically damp inflation by lowering import prices, the ECB’s current focus remains data-dependent and centered on inflation and growth, not exchange rates alone.
ECB officials have previously downplayed the need for immediate action over the currency move, saying recent gains are modest and don’t automatically compel policy shifts. Even with concerns that continued euro strength could add complexity to inflation dynamics, the central bank appears poised to keep interest rates steady and data-dependent, rather than react directly to forex moves.
Market pricing reflects this view, with few traders betting on immediate policy shifts purely because of FX strength — a stance that underscores how inflation and growth metrics still dominate ECB decision-making.
Hong Kong Stablecoin Drive: JD CoinChain Continues to Press for Licence
JD CoinChain Technology, a subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, continues to position itself as a contender in Hong Kong’s high-stakes stablecoin licensing race under the city’s newly implemented regulatory regime. Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025, requires issuers of fiat-referenced stablecoins to obtain a licence from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) before issuance or marketing to the public. The regime has attracted dozens of applicants but is expected to grant only a limited number of licences initially as part of its phased rollout.
JD CoinChain — already part of the HKMA’s stablecoin issuer sandbox programme alongside major financial and fintech players — continues its preparations, focusing on use cases like cross-border payments, retail settlement and reduced transaction costs. Its continued presence underscores strong interest from large tech and commerce players despite regulatory scrutiny and competitive pressure from global and regional institutions.
With the first licences expected in early 2026 and demand far exceeding supply, JD CoinChain Technology’s progress will be closely watched as Hong Kong solidifies its position as a regulated hub for digital currency innovation.
SHIB Hits Near 3‑Year Low as Traders Flee and Open Interest Collapses
Meme‑coin favourite Shiba Inu (SHIB) has plunged to its lowest price since October 2023, dipping toward ~$0.0000078 as broader crypto markets remain under pressure. Heavy selling, long liquidations and shrinking trader interest have pushed SHIB’s open interest down sharply, falling over 10% as traders reduce exposure and sell positions amid volatility. Futures flow has plunged nearly 200%, a sign that derivatives traders are exiting or lowering risk. Long liquidations in the broader crypto market — totaling billions in 24 hours — have intensified downward pressure on altcoins including SHIB.
Market analysts caution that whale selling and weaker network dynamics are contributing to this break below multi‑year support, while technical indicators (like the RSI nearing extreme lows) highlight how sentiment is in deep bear territory. Short‑term traders and holders are watching whether SHIB finds support around this historic price zone or extends its correction further.
Russia Claims France Plans to Remove ‘Unwanted’ African Leaders — What’s Verified?
Russian intelligence has claimed that France is developing a plan to remove certain “unwanted leaders” in African countries as part of a strategic effort to influence political outcomes on the continent, according to a report shared by Binance Square news. This allegation asserts that President Emmanuel Macron authorized a special department to consider such actions — though details on targets or specific plans have not been independently verified by major global media outlets.
It’s important to note that no credible reporting from established international news agencies confirms France is actively planning coups or forced removals of African governments. However, France and Russia have long engaged in geopolitical competition for influence in Africa — particularly in the Sahel region, where former French military roles have receded and Russia has strengthened ties with local leaders after coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Historically, France’s involvement in Africa has been criticized both locally and internationally for its post‑colonial military interventions and political influence. At the same time, Russia has rejected allegations that it seeks to expel France or Western influence, instead framing its engagement as support for sovereign African decisions to work with different partners.
Bottom line: The specific claim that France is planning to oust leaders in Africa remains unverified and should be treated as an allegation, framed in the context of ongoing great‑power geopolitical competition on the continent rather than established fact.
South Korea Moves Toward Crypto Income Tax Amid Delays and Enforcement Plans
South Korea is advancing plans to tax income from cryptocurrency gains as part of broader reform of its virtual asset tax framework, even though the exact start date and rules remain uncertain. Under current proposals, crypto profits above a certain threshold would be subject to a 20% capital gains tax, with the annual gain calculated as the difference between sale and acquisition cost.
The tax — originally scheduled to take effect as early as 2025 — has been postponed multiple times amid industry pushback and infrastructure challenges, with lawmakers now considering further delays, possibly until 2027 or beyond, while building stronger reporting systems and digital asset oversight.
Despite the delays, authorities are stepping up compliance and enforcement: the National Tax Service (NTS) plans to establish dedicated crypto-tax monitoring units and tighten data collection on virtual asset transactions to prevent tax evasion ahead of eventual implementation.
This evolving tax landscape reflects Seoul’s effort to balance investor protection, tax fairness and market development, as South Korea works toward integrating cryptocurrencies into its broader financial and regulatory system.
India’s Budget STT Increase Rattles Equity Futures and Options Liquidity
The Union Budget 2026–27 has sparked sharp reactions from equity derivatives markets after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a significant hike in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options. Under the new proposal, STT on equity futures is raised to 0.05% from 0.02%, while STT on options (premium and exercise) has increased to 0.15%, making derivatives trading materially more expensive for active market participants.
Market observers and high-frequency traders (HFTs) point out that even seemingly small tax increases can significantly erode profit margins for strategies that rely on tight spreads and ultra-fast execution, potentially reducing liquidity and turnover in the derivatives segment. Analysts say the STT hike also impacts arbitrageurs and algorithmic trading firms, which now face higher costs on every entry and exit, prompting many to reassess their models and risk thresholds.
The tax increase has already had market repercussions, with equities and brokerage stocks experiencing downward pressure as participants factor in higher transaction costs and potential slowdown in volatility-driven activity. While the government says the measure is intended to discourage excessive speculation and improve market stability, short-term traders and liquidity providers argue it could reduce depth in the F&O market and impact overall price discovery.
Morgan Stanley Highlights Select Opportunity in French Government Bonds
Morgan Stanley’s fixed-income research suggests that French government bonds (OATs) could offer select opportunities for investors, despite heightened volatility tied to fiscal and political uncertainty in France. Analysts note that spreads and yields have widened relative to German Bunds amid ongoing debates over budget deficits, funding needs, and political risk — creating a scenario where bond investors may be compensated for taking duration exposure, particularly in shorter maturities or specific segments of the curve.
The firm’s yield-spread forecasts indicate that French OATs continue to trade with meaningful spreads over Bunds, offering higher income potential if risks are appropriately priced and managed — especially at intermediate maturities where risk premiums may be more attractive for investors with a medium-term horizon.
That said, analysts warn that macro and political clouds — including higher deficits, fiscal gridlock and structural reform delays — remain key risk factors that could persist into 2026 and keep yields elevated or volatile. Investors are therefore encouraged to blend yield opportunities with prudent duration and credit risk management.
Privacy is useless if contracts are not legally enforceable — Dusk addresses this gap
Many privacy blockchains stop at hiding data. dusk_foundation goes further by designing confidential smart contracts that can be audited, proven, and enforced in real legal frameworks.
Selective disclosure allows courts, regulators, or counterparties to verify facts without exposing full transaction history. This bridges a critical gap between on-chain execution and off-chain law — a requirement for real securities, funds, and institutional finance.
DUSK is not built for anonymity theater, but for legally usable privacy.
#dusk
$DUSK
@Dusk_Foundation
🚨 This is getting really bad now 👇
Bitcoin has fallen below $75,000. That move puts price under Strategy’s average buying level of around $76,000 per Bitcoin. With that one level breaking, Michael Saylor’s big Bitcoin bet has slipped deep into the red.
Strategy holds 712,647 $BTC . Those coins were bought over years with strong conviction. Now that price is below their average cost, the company is sitting on more than $900 million in unrealized losses. Every further dip makes that number worse.
This is where the pressure starts to feel real.
Saylor’s strategy has always been clear. Buy. Hold. Never sell. But markets do not care about belief. When Bitcoin trades below the average entry price of the largest corporate holder in the world, it hits market psychology hard. Not because coins are being sold, but because confidence is being tested in real time.
Every dollar below $76K adds more stress to sentiment. Traders start asking tough questions. How long can price stay below cost. How much pain can the market handle. What happens if the drop continues.
To be clear, these are paper losses. Nothing has been sold. No losses are locked in. But markets react to pressure before action ever happens. Seeing the loudest Bitcoin bull underwater by nearly a billion dollars feeds fear across the entire market.
This is not panic because something broke.
It is panic because belief is being tested.
Moments like this do not kill narratives.
They reveal who can sit through them.
Start Chasing $BTC Now 👇
{spot}(BTCUSDT)
#WhenWillBTCRebound
Gold Options Turn Defensive as Bears Dominate Positions After Sharp Sell-Off
The gold options market is showing signs of increased bearish positioning and exit of bullish option strategies after a steep price correction in precious metals. In recent sessions, gold has slid sharply amid profit-taking, stronger dollar dynamics and elevated margin requirements, prompting traders to adjust derivatives exposure and hedge against further downside.
Data from gold option chains indicates that put option interest and relative strike positioning are rising, while some call positions have waned — a pattern typically interpreted as increased demand for downside protection or belief that prices could fall further before finding support. This shift in open interest reflects trader caution after gold’s recent plunge from record highs and sharper-than-expected market swings.
Market analysts point out that options behavior — including put buildup at lower strikes and waning call optimism — tends to accompany heightened risk sentiment and volatility in precious metals markets. This dynamic can deepen short-term price swings, especially when combined with broader macroeconomic uncertainty and rapid rotation into safer assets like the U.S. dollar.
BNB is navigating a notable cooling-off period, currently trading around $840 – $855 (approx. ₹70,180). After a blistering January that saw prices climb toward $1,030, the asset has retraced roughly 15% amid a broader market deleveraging.
2026 Forecast Summary
Despite the recent dip, the "BNB 2026 Roadmap" provides a strong fundamental floor. Analysts expect the asset to reclaim its psychological $1,000 resistance by late Q1 as new ecosystem upgrades go live.
| Period | Potential Low | Potential High | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $790 | $1,050 | Cautious Recovery |
| Mid 2026 | $950 | $1,280 | Bullish |
| End 2026 | $1,100 | $1,550+ | Optimistic |
Key Market Catalysts
* Technical Evolution: The transition to a dual-client strategy (Geth and Reth) aims to hit 20,000 TPS this year, drastically reducing gas costs.
* Institutional RWA: With BlackRock and VanEck launching Real-World Asset (RWA) primitives on the BNB Chain, institutional demand for BNB as "gas" is surging.
* Burn Dynamics: The continuous Auto-Burn mechanism continues to tighten supply, creating a deflationary pressure that supports long-term valuation.
$BNB
{spot}(BNBUSDT)