Binance News

China's probability of winning the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final has increased to 27%, according to a prediction model. According to NS3.AI, this marks a 12% rise in just one day, indicating growing optimism for China's performance. The final match is set to take place on January 24th at 11 PM UTC+8.

R3 is advancing Solana-native frameworks to incorporate private credit and trade finance into decentralized finance (DeFi) markets. According to NS3.AI, this initiative seeks to offer stable and uncorrelated returns for DeFi investors. The development underscores the increasing institutional interest in leveraging blockchain technology for traditional financial assets.

On January 24, NFT trading platform Nifty Gateway announced its official closure scheduled for February 23, 2026. According to BlockBeats, the platform has now entered a withdrawal-only mode.

Launched in 2020, Nifty Gateway aimed to revolutionize the digital art sector. Since its inception, the platform has supported the release of numerous innovative works, offering creators new experiences in creation and exhibition. Users who still hold USD, ETH balances, or NFTs on the platform will receive asset migration instructions via email to facilitate the transfer of their assets from Nifty Gateway.

Las Vegas businesses, from small juice bars to major chains like Steak ’n Shake, are increasingly adopting Bitcoin payments. According to NS3.AI, this shift aims to circumvent credit card fees and attract a broader customer base. Square's no-fee Bitcoin payment option has facilitated this mainstream adoption, supported by innovations such as the Lightning Network and Bitcoin Map, which enhance payment convenience and discovery. This trend of corporate crypto acceptance aligns with a significant increase in crypto payment volumes, despite recent Bitcoin price fluctuations and ETF outflows.

Bitcoin market sentiment continues to cool, with prediction markets increasingly pricing out a near-term return to six-figure levels as macro uncertainty weighs on risk assets.Traders on major prediction platforms now see a low probability of Bitcoin reclaiming $100,000 in the first half of 2026, reflecting fading bullish momentum following last year’s October crash.Key takeawaysPrediction markets give less than a 10% chance of Bitcoin reaching $100,000 before Feb. 1.Traders expect $100K to remain out of reach until at least mid-2026.Markets price high odds that Bitcoin will drop below Strategy’s average cost basis this year.Less than 10% odds BTC hits $100K by FebruaryAs of Thursday, traders on leading prediction platforms show limited confidence in a short-term Bitcoin breakout.Polymarket: ~6% probability BTC crosses $100,000 before Jan. 31Kalshi: ~7% probability BTC reaches $100,000 before month-endBitcoin’s 2026 high so far stands at $97,900, recorded on Jan. 14. The asset last traded above $100,000 on Nov. 13, before a sharp sell-off reset market sentiment.Historically, Bitcoin has reclaimed $100,000 after similar pullbacks. The previous drawdown of 25.5% saw BTC regain six figures after roughly 93 days, implying a potential mid-February recovery — if history repeats.However, prediction market traders appear far less optimistic.Traders expect $100K only after June — if at allKalshi participants assign roughly 65% odds that Bitcoin will break above $100,000 before June, suggesting the market expects prolonged consolidation rather than a rapid rebound.Meanwhile, Polymarket traders increasingly anticipate further downside first:65% odds BTC falls to $80,000 before returning to $100K54% odds of a $70,000 bottom in 202650% odds of $65,00042% odds BTC drops as low as $60,000The skew reflects growing caution amid tightening financial conditions, rising bond yields, and persistent geopolitical risks.Will Bitcoin fall below Strategy’s cost basis?Prediction markets are also focused on whether Bitcoin will trade below Strategy’s average purchase price, currently around $75,979 per BTC.Polymarket data shows:75% probability Bitcoin trades below Strategy’s cost basis in 2026Despite those expectations, markets remain confident that Strategy itself will not capitulate.Less than 26% odds Strategy sells Bitcoin this year84% probability the firm holds more than 800,000 BTC by Dec. 31Last week, Strategy expanded its treasury to 709,715 BTC, purchasing 22,305 BTC for approximately $2.13 billion — reinforcing its long-term accumulation strategy even as near-term price outlooks deteriorate.Market outlook remains cautiousPrediction market pricing highlights a broader shift in sentiment since the October 2025 crash. While long-term conviction among institutions and treasury buyers remains intact, short-term optimism has faded sharply.With Bitcoin trading near $89,500, traders appear focused on capital preservation rather than breakout speculation — waiting for clearer macro catalysts, liquidity relief, or renewed ETF inflows before reassessing the $100,000 level.For now, prediction markets suggest that Bitcoin’s next major move may come later in 2026 — not in the weeks ahead, according to Cointelegraph.

Bitcoin continued to struggle below the $90,000 level as global investors rotated deeper into traditional safe-haven assets, with gold and silver extending historic rallies — and Bitcoin’s underperformance reigniting debate over whether emerging risks such as quantum computing are beginning to influence market behavior.While some investors argue that quantum threats are now being priced in, on-chain analysts and long-term Bitcoin developers say the current weakness reflects far more conventional forces: profit-taking, supply unlocking near $100,000, and shifting macro liquidity.Bitcoin lags gold and equities as safe-haven demand acceleratesAt the Wall Street open on Friday, Bitcoin remained locked in a narrow consolidation range after failing to reclaim the $90,000–$93,500 resistance zone.The divergence between Bitcoin and traditional assets has widened sharply.Since just after Donald Trump’s November 2024 election victory:Bitcoin: −2.6%Silver: +205%Gold: +83%Nasdaq: +24%S&P 500: +17.6%Gold climbed to fresh all-time highs near $4,930 per ounce, while silver surged toward $96, extending a powerful multi-month safe-haven bid driven by geopolitical tensions, sovereign debt risks, and central bank accumulation.Bitcoin, by contrast, remains roughly 30% below its October 2025 peak, reinforcing perceptions that crypto is behaving more like a high-beta risk asset than a hedge during the current macro regime.Gold price forecast sees potential path to $23,000As precious metals dominate flows, long-term bullish forecasts for gold have intensified.Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, projected that gold could reach $12,000 to $23,000 per ounce over the next three to eight years, citing:Record central bank gold accumulationAccelerating fiat money supply expansion (over 10% annually)China increasing gold reserves nearly tenfold in two yearsDeclining confidence in sovereign debt markets“If this cycle mirrors historic 20th-century asset expansions, gold’s upside is far from finished,” Edwards wrote.While gold’s monthly RSI has reached its most overbought levels since the 1970s, analysts argue that structural demand — not speculation — is driving the rally.Bitcoin stagnation revives quantum computing fearsBitcoin’s continued underperformance has reopened a long-running debate around quantum computing risks.Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter reignited the discussion this week, arguing that Bitcoin’s “mysterious” weakness reflects growing market awareness of quantum threats.“Bitcoin’s underperformance is due to quantum,” Carter said. “The market is speaking — the devs aren’t listening.”His comments sparked immediate pushback from on-chain analysts and long-term investors.Analysts: market structure, not quantum risk, explains price actionOn-chain researchers argue that attributing Bitcoin’s consolidation to quantum fears misreads current market dynamics.Checkonchain analyst @Checkmatey said Bitcoin’s behavior mirrors historical supply-driven cycles rather than speculative technological threats.“Gold has a bid because sovereigns are buying it instead of treasuries,” he said. “Bitcoin saw heavy HODLer sell-side in 2025 — enough to kill prior bull markets multiple times over.”Bitcoin investor and author Vijay Boyapati echoed that view, pointing to a more tangible trigger:“The real explanation is the unlocking of enormous supply once we hit a psychological level for whales — $100,000.”According to on-chain data, long-term holders significantly increased distribution as Bitcoin approached six figures, releasing supply that absorbed new ETF and institutional demand and capped upside momentum.Quantum threat remains theoretical, developers sayDespite renewed attention, most Bitcoin developers continue to view quantum computing as a long-term, manageable risk, not a near-term market driver.Quantum machines capable of running algorithms like Shor’s algorithm, which could theoretically break elliptic curve cryptography, remain far from practical deployment.Blockstream co-founder Adam Back has repeatedly stated that even worst-case scenarios would not result in immediate or network-wide losses.Bitcoin Improvement Proposal BIP-360 already outlines a migration path toward quantum-resistant address formats, allowing gradual upgrades well before any credible threat emerges.Developers emphasize that such transitions would unfold over many years, not market cycles — making quantum risk an unlikely explanation for short-term price weakness.Traditional finance raises concerns, but timeline remains distantSome traditional finance voices have nevertheless flagged quantum computing as a future consideration.Earlier this month, Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood removed Bitcoin from a model portfolio, citing long-term quantum risk among his concerns.However, industry analysts note that the key challenge is not whether Bitcoin can adapt — but how long such an upgrade would take if ever required.That timeline is measured in decades, not quarters.Bitcoin remains macro-sensitive as capital favors preservationFor now, market participants say Bitcoin remains trapped in a macro-driven environment dominated by:Rising global bond yieldsTrade tensions and geopolitical uncertaintySovereign rotation into goldCapital preservation over speculative growthAs a result, traders remain focused on key technical levels rather than long-term existential risks.Bitcoin must reclaim the $91,000–$93,500 zone to restore upside momentum. Failure to do so leaves downside support clustered between $85,000 and $88,000.Until monetary or geopolitical clarity improves, analysts say Bitcoin is likely to remain reactive rather than directional — while gold continues to benefit from a historic shift in global capital flows, according to Cointelegraph.

US Democratic senators have filed a new round of ethics-focused amendments to the crypto market structure bill, intensifying efforts to prevent public officials from profiting from digital asset interests as Congress debates long-awaited crypto regulation.The amendments were submitted Friday ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s scheduled markup on Tuesday, where lawmakers are expected to review proposed legislation aimed at clarifying federal oversight of cryptocurrencies, defining regulatory jurisdiction, and establishing clearer rules for market participants.Democrats target conflicts of interest in cryptoAmong the most notable proposals is an amendment from Senator Michael Bennet, which would incorporate the Digital Asset Ethics Act into the broader market structure bill. The measure seeks to restrict US government officials from benefiting financially from crypto-related ventures while in office.The move reflects growing Democratic concerns over alleged conflicts of interest involving President Donald Trump, particularly his reported ties to the World Liberty Financial crypto platform — an involvement critics say has significantly boosted his personal net worth.Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have repeatedly called for stricter safeguards to ensure that crypto legislation does not enable self-dealing by elected officials or senior policymakers.Proposal would delay bill until CFTC seats are filledAnother amendment, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar, would delay the law’s implementation until the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is fully staffed.The CFTC is currently operating with only its chair, Michael Selig, who was sworn in on Dec. 22. The remaining four commissioner seats remain vacant, with no confirmed timeline for appointments.Supporters of the amendment argue that enforcing sweeping crypto oversight without a full commission could weaken regulatory effectiveness and enforcement consistency.Additional amendments expand scope beyond cryptoOther Democratic senators — Roger Marshall, Dick Durbin, and Peter Welch — filed amendments seeking to attach the Credit Card Competition Act to the bill. The proposal would prohibit payment networks and certain issuing banks from enforcing exclusive network arrangements on credit cards.The additions underscore how the crypto market structure debate has increasingly become a broader battleground over financial regulation, competition policy, and consumer protections.Senate markup faces uncertaintyTuesday’s markup was already delayed once, after disputes emerged over stablecoin reward restrictions and decentralized finance provisions — disagreements that prompted Coinbase to withdraw its support for the bill earlier this month.Lawmakers now face renewed uncertainty, as a major snowstorm is forecast to hit Washington, DC, potentially forcing another postponement.Despite the delays, the legislation remains one of the most closely watched crypto bills in Congress, with industry participants viewing it as a critical step toward long-term regulatory clarity in the United States.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Besant hinted at the possibility of lifting the 25% tariffs imposed on Indian oil imports from Russia during a speech in Davos on Friday. According to Odaily, Besant stated that the tariffs have significantly reduced India's procurement of Russian oil, describing the outcome as a 'great success.' He informed Politico that the tariffs have caused a collapse in purchases by Indian refineries. Besant suggested that while the tariffs remain in place, there is a diplomatic 'pathway' for their removal if India shifts its energy sources. He asserted that these trade measures have brought substantial benefits to the U.S. economy.

GameStop has transferred its entire Bitcoin treasury to Coinbase Prime, fueling speculation that the video game retailer may be preparing to sell its BTC holdings amid ongoing market volatility.According to blockchain intelligence firm CryptoQuant, GameStop moved all 4,710 Bitcoin, worth more than $420 million, to Coinbase’s institutional trading platform on Friday — a move the firm described as “likely to sell.”“GameStop throws in the towel?” CryptoQuant wrote in a post on X, noting that such transfers are typically associated with preparation for liquidation or custody reorganization.Potential $76 million loss on Bitcoin positionIf GameStop were to sell its Bitcoin at current market prices near $90,800, the company would realize an estimated $76 million loss, CryptoQuant said.The retailer accumulated its BTC position in May at an average purchase price of approximately $107,900 per Bitcoin, bringing the total investment to more than $500 million at the time.GameStop launched its Bitcoin treasury strategy earlier this year after CEO Ryan Cohen met with Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) chair Michael Saylor, discussing how corporate Bitcoin holdings could be structured.As of publication, GameStop has not publicly confirmed whether the transfer signals an imminent sale. Cointelegraph said it contacted the company for comment but had not received a response.CEO increases equity stake as Bitcoin questions mountThe blockchain move coincided with a regulatory filing earlier this week showing that Ryan Cohen purchased an additional 500,000 GME shares, worth over $10 million. GameStop shares rose more than 3% following the disclosure.The contrasting actions — increasing equity exposure while potentially reducing crypto exposure — have added to speculation that GameStop may be reassessing its digital asset strategy.Corporate Bitcoin treasuries under scrutinyCorporate crypto treasuries surged in popularity throughout 2024 and early 2025, with firms seeking exposure to Bitcoin as a balance-sheet reserve asset. However, many companies saw share price volatility intensify in late 2025 as Bitcoin retraced from record highs.Currently, more than 190 publicly traded companies hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Several firms have also launched treasuries tied to Ether, Solana, and other digital assets.Despite growing scrutiny, digital asset treasury companies recently received a boost after MSCI decided not to remove crypto-holding firms from its major market indexes, citing the need for additional analysis to distinguish treasury strategies from investment businesses.An exclusion could have triggered billions of dollars in passive fund outflows, particularly for large holders such as Strategy.For now, GameStop’s Bitcoin transfer has revived debate around the sustainability of corporate crypto treasuries — and whether firms are willing to endure volatility during prolonged market drawdowns.

A Massachusetts resident, Jesse El-Ghoul, has admitted to defrauding the U.S. government of more than $1.3 million by forging a tax refund check. According to NS3.AI, El-Ghoul altered a Treasury-issued check intended for a Canadian company and funneled the funds through shell companies and real estate deals. He is scheduled for sentencing in April 2026 and could face several decades in prison along with substantial fines.

Japanese gaming company KLab has announced an additional investment in Bitcoin and gold ETFs, totaling 200 million yen, according to Foresight News. This purchase includes 8.44 BTC and 3,370 shares of gold. As of the 22nd, KLab holds a total of 12.80828 BTC and 5,230 shares of gold. In its market outlook report, KLab predicts that Bitcoin prices may recover to the previous high of 12.6 million yen and potentially move towards the 20 million yen range.

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Mark Carney addressed the diminishing dominance of the US dollar in the face of increasing influence from BRICS nations. According to NS3.AI, BRICS countries, with India at the forefront, are progressing in the technical integration of their central bank digital currencies and developing alternatives to Western payment systems. Carney highlighted the emergence of a fragmented global order and encouraged middle powers to seek a 'third path' of coordinated sovereignty instead of relying on dominant powers.

The Netherlands is contemplating a new tax policy that would impose levies on unrealized capital gains across various investments, including stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. According to Cointelegraph, this proposal has raised alarms about potential capital flight from the country. A majority of Dutch lawmakers are poised to support modifications to the Box 3 asset tax regime, which would mandate annual taxes on both realized and unrealized gains, regardless of whether the assets have been sold. This move comes after court decisions invalidated the current system for relying on assumed returns rather than actual ones. The Tweede Kamer, or House of Representatives, revisited the proposal this week, with caretaker State Secretary for Taxation Eugène Heijnen fielding over 130 questions.

Despite recognizing the plan's shortcomings, most lawmakers are inclined to endorse it, citing an estimated loss of 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) annually if implementation is postponed. Under the proposed changes, investors in equities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies would face annual taxes on paper gains. Heijnen reportedly informed parliament that taxing only realized returns would be ideal but is deemed unfeasible by the government until 2028. With public finances strained, further delays have been ruled out. Several political parties, including the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), JA21 (Right Answer 2021), and Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) Party for Freedom (PVV), are anticipated to support the bill. Left-leaning parties such as Democrats 66 (D66) and GreenLeft–Labour Party (GroenLinks–PvdA) also favor the changes, arguing that taxing unrealized gains is easier to manage and prevents significant budget deficits.

The revised Box 3 system would be more advantageous for real estate investors, permitting deductions for costs and taxation only upon realizing profits, although second homes would incur an additional levy for personal use. The tax proposal has sparked significant criticism from investors and figures in the crypto community, who caution that the measure could hasten capital flight. Notable Dutch crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe labeled the plan as "insane," asserting it would substantially increase annual tax burdens and drive residents to leave the country. "No wonder people are leaving the country, and to be fair, it's completely right to do so," he commented. Another user likened taxes on unrealized gains and wealth to historical events such as the Boston Tea Party, Reign of Terror, or Bolshevik moment.

On January 24, crypto analyst Willy Woo shared insights on the response of Bitcoin developers to quantum risks. According to BlockBeats, Woo noted that the initial response began in January 2025 and gained momentum by mid-year. The first Quantum Bitcoin Summit was held in San Francisco in July 2025. Woo observed that while the initial pace of addressing quantum risks was slow, it is now rapidly accelerating.

Stablecoins facilitated over $35 trillion in transactions on blockchain last year, according to ChainCatcher. However, a report by McKinsey and Artemis Analytics reveals that only about 1% of these transactions were used for real-world payments.The analysis estimates that merely $380 billion of the activity involved actual payments, such as vendor payments, remittances, or salary disbursements. This represents a small fraction of the global payment total, accounting for approximately 0.02% of the worldwide payment volume, which McKinsey estimates to exceed $20 trillion annually.

On January 24, a notable address known for its significant short position on ZEC executed a partial profit-taking on its ETH short position. According to BlockBeats On-chain Detection, the address reduced its ETH short by 1,055.93 ETH. Despite this reduction, the ETH short position remains substantial, valued at $118.7 million, with a current floating profit of approximately $11.04 million.

The address gained recognition for establishing a large short position on ZEC, initially shorting from $184. After incurring a floating loss of $21 million, the position eventually turned profitable.

The British pound continues to maintain a higher value than the U.S. dollar, despite the larger economic size and global dominance of the U.S. currency. According to NS3.AI, this phenomenon can be attributed to the arbitrary nature of currency units, which are influenced by historical contexts rather than solely by economic power.

The fluctuations in the GBP/USD exchange rate are driven by several factors, including interest rates, inflation expectations, economic growth, risk appetite, and trade flows. These elements play a crucial role in determining the relative strength of the two currencies.

Scenarios where the currencies reach parity are examined through the lens of macroeconomic conditions and risk factors. Understanding these dynamics is essential for comprehending the ongoing valuation differences between the British pound and the U.S. dollar.

According to CoinMarketCap data, the global cryptocurrency market cap now stands at $3.02T, Up by 0.58% over the last 24 hours.Bitcoin (BTC) traded between $88,578 and $91,225 over the past 24 hours. As of 09:30 AM (UTC) today, BTC is trading at $89,621, up by 0.49%.Most major cryptocurrencies by market cap are trading mixed. Market outperformers include SOMI, KAIA, and ENSO, up by 45%, 38%, and 34%, respectively.Top stories of the day:Crypto Startups Secure $362 Million Amid Geopolitical UncertaintiesCyber Hornet Files for S&P Crypto 10 ETFUK's FCA Advances Crypto Regulation with Final Consumer Duty ConsultationIntel's Stock Drops Amid Disappointing Q1 2026 ForecastARK Invest Files for ETF Tracking CoinDesk Crypto 20 IndexU.S. January Inflation Rate Expectations Revised to 4%U.S. January PMI Data Shows Mixed Results Grayscale Files for Spot BNB ETF With SEC, Expanding Beyond Bitcoin and Ether  Global Gold Prices Surge in 2025 Amid Central Bank Purchases USD/JPY Reaches Lowest Level Since JanuaryMarket movers:ETH: $2961.3 (+1.08%)BNB: $892.35 (+0.37%)XRP: $1.9168 (+0.54%)SOL: $127.12 (-0.06%)TRX: $0.2972 (-3.60%)DOGE: $0.1245 (-0.22%)WLFI: $0.1789 (+5.11%)ADA: $0.3604 (+0.36%)WBTC: $89435.24 (+0.55%)BCH: $595.6 (+0.19%)

Community members have called on X product leader and Solana advisor Nikita Bier to prioritize addressing fraudulent accounts on the platform. According to PANews, users are urging Bier to focus less on niche communities like crypto or InfoFi and more on combating scams. Currently, approximately 22,600 newly registered fake X accounts are reportedly using Space's real-time voice tags to lure users with phishing links. The scale of the issue makes it difficult to address manually through reporting or blocking. Suggestions have been made to introduce facial recognition login mechanisms to significantly reduce malicious activities. In response, Nikita Bier acknowledged the problem and stated that the team is actively working on a solution.