Crypto enthusiasts strongly believe in the decentralized blockchain architecture and feel that it solves many problems both financially and politically.
Why Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is Stealing the Spotlight from Solana (SOL): Analysts Project 2,500% Growth
As the market seeks the best assets to invest in for the coming market cycle, one new crypto is taking attention away from Solana (SOL). The market capitalization of SOL is already quite significant, and the potential for exponential growth is lower than it was during the earlier market cycles. This has paved the way for Mutuum Finance (MUTM), which is currently being touted as the best cheap cryptocurrency to buy today to take the spotlight.
Solana (SOL) has recently been seen dipping into the demand region of $118-$121 and is currently trying to find its footing after a significant sell-off. The sell-off momentum has slowed down significantly, and the market is ready to see a potential rise back to the $126-$130 region. This could also extend up to the $138-$145 region if the uptrend resumes. While the cryptocurrency has a relatively steady approach to growth, investors looking for the bigger ROI are looking elsewhere.
In a significant development for crypto markets, Hyperliquid has overtaken Binance in top-of-book liquidity, becoming a standout player in terms of market depth. According to data shared by Blockworks researcher Shaunda Devens, Hyperliquid’s performance at the tightest trading spread is currently unmatched.
$3.1M BTC Depth at ±1bps
At ±1 basis point (bps) from the mid-price, Hyperliquid now holds $3.1 million in resting Bitcoin (BTC) order book depth—eclipsing Binance’s $2.3 million. This metric reflects how much BTC is available for immediate trading at the best possible price without significantly impacting the market.
This achievement is especially notable as liquidity at such a tight spread is crucial for traders seeking minimal slippage. Hyperliquid’s ability to offer deep liquidity at this level signals a robust and well-optimized trading environment.
South Korea overhauls Crypto licensing, expands VASP oversight
South Korea’s National Assembly has approved sweeping changes to the country’s cryptocurrency licensing framework, tightening entry requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and expanding regulatory scrutiny to include controlling shareholders.
On Thursday, lawmakers passed an amendment to the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information, a key pillar of South Korea’s anti-money-laundering (AML) regime for digital assets.
The committee substitute bill was approved during a plenary session and is expected to take effect six months after the law is formally enacted, giving market participants time to prepare for compliance.
The revised legislation strengthens the licensing and reporting obligations imposed on crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and other VASPs operating in the country.
Notably, the amendments extend regulatory vetting beyond company executives to include major and controlling shareholders, marking a significant expansion of oversight within the crypto sector.
Under the new framework, authorities will be able to assess whether controlling shareholders meet eligibility requirements related to criminal records, financial integrity, and compliance history.
Regulators will also have enhanced powers to deny registration or revoke licenses if major shareholders are deemed unfit, even if the firm’s management otherwise satisfies regulatory standards.
“USS Status” Launch: Crypto Veteran Returns With Satirical Cartoon, Privacy App, and Gasless L2
Zug, Switzerland, January 29th, 2026, Chainwire Status, one of Ethereum’s longest-running open-source projects, has re-entered the spotlight with USS Status, a satirical sci-fi cartoon that turns crypto’s chaotic past into comedy, along with the launch of a unified privacy super-app and gasless L2 network.
An Old Giant Awakens
Status, the open-source privacy super-app, has launched an overhauled unified app, a gasless L2 network, and a new identity personified in an irreverent and satirical web cartoon.
One of the oldest established projects in the Ethereum ecosystem, Status has weathered the industry’s volatility while continuing to quietly build an open-source platform that combines a secure crypto wallet, privacy messenger, and web browser within a single application.
Founded in 2017, Status has lived through ICO mania, regulatory whiplash, centralised exchange collapses, memecoin cycles, and repeated attempts to rebuild the internet with better primitives. Now they’re back with a mission to make privacy accessible to everyone.
White House Calls Banks and Crypto Leaders to Break Stablecoin Standoff
The White House is set to host a high-level summit on Monday, February 2, 2026, bringing together senior banking executives and cryptocurrency industry leaders in an effort to unlock stalled legislation governing U.S. digital asset markets.
The meeting, convened by the administration’s crypto council, is designed to resolve a growing impasse over the CLARITY Act, a sweeping market structure bill that has been stuck in the Senate for weeks.
At the center of the deadlock is a dispute over stablecoin rewards, a topic that has exposed deep divisions between traditional finance and crypto-native firms.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell, on January 11, 2026, addressed the administration threats in Washington, emphasizing the importance of maintaining independent monetary policy amid political pressures.
Powell's stance highlights ongoing tensions between the Federal Reserve and political influences, reinforcing the importance of autonomy in monetary decision-making to sustain economic stability.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell stated that the Fed will continue to set interest rates based on economic data rather than political influence. Powell's comments came following alleged pressure from the administration. Asserting the Fed's independence, he highlighted the importance of steering clear of political intimidation while making monetary policy decisions.
"This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation," said Powell in his speech.
Immediate implications include potential tension between the Federal Reserve and government officials. Powell's remarks underscore the necessity for a clear separation between political agendas and monetary policy, ensuring economic decisions remain rooted in data.
Citrea ZK-rollup launch stress tests scarce Bitcoin block space
$BTC
Founders Fund and Galaxy Ventures-backed Bitcoin zero-knowledge rollup (ZK-rollup) Citrea launched its mainnet on Tuesday with BTC collateral lending, BTC-structured products and a new US dollar stablecoin, ctUSD.
The launch is aimed at turning what Citrea calls “economically idle” Bitcoin (BTC) into base collateral for decentralized finance (DeFi) and payments, while anchoring more of that activity to Bitcoin’s base layer.
The team expects active DeFi liquidity to reach $50 million in the first few weeks, with BTC lending, BTC-structured products, and decentralized trading already live from day one.
The mainnet debut immediately dropped Citrea into a familiar Bitcoin argument: What should scarce BTC block space actually be used for? With block rewards declining over time, many developers see non‑payment use cases like Citrea as essential to sustaining miner fee revenue.
However, purists argue Bitcoin’s limited capacity should be reserved for simple, censorship‑resistant payments rather than complex financial systems built on top.
Crypto 401(k): Former SEC Commissioner’s Bold Call for Retirement Plan Revolution
In a significant development for both the retirement and digital asset sectors, former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Paul Atkins has publicly called for the inclusion of cryptocurrency investments in 401(k) plans. This pivotal statement, made during a CNBC ‘Squawk Box’ interview on April 2, 2025, challenges longstanding regulatory caution and ignites a crucial debate about the future of American retirement savings. The proposal arrives as millions of investors seek broader access to emerging asset classes, fundamentally questioning the traditional boundaries of pension portfolios.
Paul Atkins, who served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008, argued that regulatory frameworks must evolve alongside financial innovation. He specifically highlighted the growing investor demand for diversified retirement options. Consequently, his comments represent a notable shift in perspective from a former top financial regulator. The discussion occurs against a backdrop of increasing institutional adoption of digital assets. For instance, several major asset managers have already launched private crypto-focused funds. However, mainstream retirement vehicles like 401(k)s have largely excluded direct cryptocurrency exposure due to perceived volatility and regulatory uncertainty.
This call to action follows a complex regulatory history. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued stern guidance in 2022, cautioning retirement plan fiduciaries about the risks of crypto investments. Fiduciaries have a legal duty to act prudently and solely in the participants’ best interest. Therefore, many plan sponsors avoided crypto to mitigate potential legal liability. Atkins’s argument suggests a reassessment is now timely. He implies that with proper safeguards and education, these assets could serve a legitimate role in a diversified long-term portfolio.
UAE Central Bank Approval Adds a New USD Stablecoin
The UAE has taken another step toward formalizing how stablecoins can operate inside its financial system, with the central bank registering a USD-backed token under a newly defined payments framework. The registration applies to USDU, a dollar-pegged stablecoin positioned for regulated settlement activity tied to digital assets, not for everyday shopping or general consumer payments.
According to a statement from the issuer, the Central Bank of the UAE registered USDU as a Foreign Payment Token under the Payment Token Services Regulation, a label that signals where the asset is intended to fit.
In practical terms, this category is designed to support compliant settlement for digital-asset transactions and related market activity, such as trading and derivatives-linked flows, while keeping broader retail usage under tighter constraints.
Universal Digital obtained Foreign Payment Token Issuer registration from the Central Bank of the UAE alongside USDU's launch. The company operates under dual regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi Global Market and the national Central Bank.
USDU functions exclusively for settling digital asset transactions and derivatives within the UAE's regulatory framework. The token cannot be used for mainland consumer payments, vehicle purchases, rent payments, or other general commercial transactions that existing payment systems already handle efficiently.
The ERC-20 token maintains 1:1 dollar backing through reserves at Emirates NBD and Mashreq banks, with Mbank providing corporate banking services and monthly attestations by an international accounting firm.
Aquanow serves as global distribution partner under Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority oversight. Universal collaborates with AE Coin, the Central Bank's licensed dirham-denominated stablecoin, to enable future USD-AED conversions for domestic settlements.
UAE Central Bank Registers First USD Stablecoin With Strict Usage Limits
Abu Dhabi-based Universal Digital launched USDU on January 29 as the first USD-backed stablecoin registered under the UAE Central Bank's Payment Token Services Regulation.
The registration creates a compliant settlement option for professional clients trading digital assets in the UAE, though usage restrictions prevent general payments or retail adoption.
Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC dominate UAE cryptocurrency trading despite operating without Central Bank registration, raising questions about demand for additional compliance overhead versus existing market infrastructure.
Federal Reserve Faces Intense Pressure as Trump Demands Immediate Rate Cuts in 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 2025: Former President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on the Federal Reserve, demanding immediate and significant interest rate reductions that challenge the central bank’s traditional independence. This latest development represents a critical moment for monetary policy as global economic conditions continue evolving. The Federal Reserve now faces complex decisions balancing political demands against economic fundamentals.
Walter Bloomberg reported Trump’s position on March 15, 2025, revealing the former president’s belief that the Federal Reserve should implement substantial rate cuts immediately. Trump specifically argued that other nations benefit from lower interest rates because of United States policies. This statement echoes similar pressures he exerted during his presidency from 2017 to 2021. However, the current economic landscape differs significantly from previous years.
The Federal Reserve maintains its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. Current Chair Jerome Powell has consistently emphasized data-driven decision-making throughout his tenure. Meanwhile, inflation metrics have shown gradual improvement since their 2022 peaks. The central bank’s independence remains a cornerstone of United States economic policy since its 1913 establishment.
Ethereum Launches ERC-8004 Standard for AI Agent Interoperability
$ETH
Ethereum announced the upcoming ERC-8004 standard on January 28th, facilitating AI agent interaction across organizations and enhancing the platform's reputation for reliability.
The ERC-8004 standard could revolutionize cross-organizational AI agent interactions and bolster Ethereum's utility, potentially impacting DeFi governance and Layer 2 applications.
The Ethereum platform introduced ERC-8004, a new standard focusing on bolstering AI agent interoperability. Key contributors to this standard include
Marco De of MetaMask, and Jordan Ellis of Ethereum. The standard builds on Google's Agent-to-Agent protocol by integrating Ethereum's blockchain trust layers.
This innovation allows AI agents to interact seamlessly across varied organizations.Immediate changes include enhanced cross-platform interaction without traditional walled garden constraints, using blockchain's inherent reliability. The ERC-8004's launch aims to expand Ethereum’s role in AI economies, potentially transforming industry norms.
Strive clears Semler debt off books, buys more bitcoin after $225 million preferred stock sale
The offering of SATA shares was oversubscribed and upsized from the initial $150 million target.
Bitcoin treasury company Strive (ASST) now has less debt and more bitcoin on its books after raising $225 million via an offering of its SATA preferred stock.
With more than $600 million in orders, according to a press release, the offering was upsized from an initially targeted $150 million.
The proceeds and exchanges enabled Strive to rapidly reduce leverage following its acquisition of Semler Scientific (SMLR). The company retired $110 million of the $120 million of legacy Semler debt, including $90 million of convertible notes exchanged into SATA Stock and the full repayment of a $20 million Coinbase Credit loan.
As a result, 100% of Strive’s bitcoin holdings are now unencumbered, with plans to retire the remaining $10 million of debt by April 2026, ahead of its original 12 month timeline. Strive also used some of the funds to acquire an additional 333.89 bitcoin at an average price of $89,851, bringing total holdings to 13,131 BTC and making it the tenth largest public corporate holder globally. Those holdings are worth more than $1.1 billion at bitcoin's current price of $89,100.
South Korea Unveils Bold Crypto Law Ahead of New Year
South Korea’s Democratic Party has completed a draft law to regulate digital assets. Named the Digital Asset Basic Act, the proposal will be submitted for review before the upcoming Lunar New Year. It sets rules for stablecoin issuers and outlines a new body to oversee market risks.
Capital Requirement for Stablecoins Set at 5 Billion KRW
The bill would require stablecoin issuers to hold a minimum capital of 5 billion Korean won, which is around $3.5 million. This matches the standard for electronic money firms under current financial law. Ahn Do-geol, secretary of the party’s digital asset task force, said during a press briefing,
“We agreed to set the legal capital requirement for stablecoin issuers at least 5 billion won.”
The rule is based on the view that stablecoins function similarly to electronic currency and should follow similar safeguards.
PEPE Price Prediction 2026-2030: The Realistic Path for the Pepe Memecoin
$PEPE
#FedWatch As the cryptocurrency market continues its volatile evolution, investors and analysts globally are scrutinizing the long-term viability of memecoins, with PEPE emerging as a significant subject of discussion. This analysis provides a detailed, evidence-based examination of PEPE price predictions from 2026 through 2030, specifically addressing the pervasive question of its potential to reach the symbolic 1-cent milestone. We will dissect the fundamental factors, market sentiment, and economic models that will ultimately determine its trajectory.
The Pepe memecoin, inspired by the popular internet meme ‘Pepe the Frog’, launched in April 2023. It rapidly captured market attention, achieving a multi-billion dollar market capitalization within weeks. This explosive entry highlights the powerful role of community and viral culture in the modern digital asset space. However, sustainable price growth requires more than just hype. Consequently, any serious PEPE price prediction must account for its tokenomics, utility roadmap, and position within the broader memecoin sector, which includes giants like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.
Market data from 2023 and 2024 shows PEPE experiencing extreme volatility, a common trait among assets driven largely by social sentiment. For instance, significant price swings often correlated directly with social media trends and influencer endorsements. Therefore, projecting its value several years forward necessitates separating transient speculation from potential long-term value drivers. Analysts from firms like CoinGecko and Messari consistently emphasize that memecoins without evolving utility face immense challenges in maintaining valuation over extended periods.