In the past week, the crypto world has focused on regulatory shifts, innovations in laws, large transactions, and concerns over the security of digital assets. The market is still waiting for clear rules that would eliminate legal uncertainty and bring broader adoption.
🏛️ January 13, 2026 — New regulatory framework in the USA
In the United States, senators have introduced the long-awaited bill that would finally define how cryptocurrencies are regulated.
📌 This proposal, known as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, aims to establish:
clear rules on when tokens are securities vs. commodities,
who will regulate spot markets (CFTC preference),
framework for stablecoins.
This is a crucial step towards the regulatory clarity that the industry has been calling for for years. �
The Economic Times
🛠️ Regulatory changes and political cases
📈 Project Crypto – SEC innovation
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), led by Paul S. Atkins, announced a component of Project Crypto — the 'innovation exemption'.
👉 The goal is to shift the approach from 'regulation by enforcement' to a supportive regulatory framework, which should attract more institutional players and facilitate the operation of crypto firms in the U.S. �
KuCoin
🐋 Blockchain major event: Bitcoin whale awakens
On Friday, January 20, one of the largest on-chain events of the week occurred: a Bitcoin 'whale' that had been inactive for 13 years moved over 900 BTC (approximately $85 million).
💡 Such movements from historically long-inactive addresses often attract the attention of analysts — regardless of price, as they signal that older capital is starting to move again. �
BitcoinWorld
⚖️ Global regulatory expectations: India
According to recent reports, the cryptocurrency sector in India expects greater regulatory clarity and tax rationalization ahead of the upcoming budget for 2026.
📍 Key themes are:
reduction of TDS (tax deducted at source),
clear legal framework for crypto services,
support for innovation and investment. �
The Economic Times
🚨 Security and fraud: Results for the year 2025
A new report from analysts shows that in 2025, an estimated $17 billion in Bitcoins was stolen due to advanced scams, often utilizing AI techniques, fake identity techniques, and attacks on crypto ATMs.
👉 According to Chainalysis, the average loss per scam has significantly increased, highlighting the growing sophistication of scammers and the need for better user protection. �
Tom's Hardware
🧠 Meme & Politics: Controversies surrounding public projects
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams launched his own 'NYC Token', which quickly lost most of its value after launch and sparked accusations of scam behavior. This incident highlights the risks of politically connected digital assets and increases the need for investors to be cautious. �
The Washington Post
📌 Summary of the main trends of the week
✔️ Regulatory clarity is finally on the table in the U.S. — the CLARITY bill and the new SEC project could change the legal environment. �
✔️ Historical on-chain event: 13-year inactive BTC whale woke up and moved a large amount of BTC. �
✔️ Security threats are increasing — scammers are using AI and sophisticated tactics for massive thefts. �
✔️ Global regulatory dialogue continues — India and other markets are calling for clear rules and tax adjustments. �
✔️ Politically connected tokens can be risky — the NYC Token case demonstrates that not every project is legitimate. �
The Economic Times +1
BitcoinWorld
Tom's Hardware
The Economic Times
The Washington Post
🧩 What does this mean for the crypto world?
This week shows that cryptocurrencies are not just about prices — more negotiations are moving into the legal, political, and institutional realms. Clearly defined rules and robust security mechanisms are key to further adoption and user trust.
