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A new report by blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs showed that crypto-related crime had a record nominal value in 2025, albeit that the proportion of illicit activity in the wider digital asset economy kept dropping as a whole.

The report estimates that the volume of illegitimate cryptocurrencies had risen to $158 billion in 2025, 145% higher than the figure of a year ago, which was $64.5 billion.

Source: TRM

Although the dollar terms increased sharply, the illicit transactions formed only 1.2% of the entire on-chain volume, compared to 1.3% in 2024 and much less than the 2.4% high in 2023.

These numbers are generally in line with the estimates released this month by Chainalysis, which estimated crypto crime at $154 billion in 2025 as being less than 1% of total crypto activity.

Illicit Actors Capture Less Crypto Capital Despite Higher Volumes

To better capture risk, TRM introduced a new metric that measures illicit activity relative to deployable capital rather than raw transaction volume.

Through this method, the company discovered that the illicit players took 2.7% of the liquidity of the crypto in 2025 compared to 2.9% the year before and 6.0% the year before.

Source: TRM Labs

TRM said the data suggest that while certain illicit categories expanded in absolute terms, criminal actors absorbed a smaller proportion of new capital entering the ecosystem.

In 2025, activity related to sanctions had led to the illicit volume, mostly associated with Russia-related flows. TRM credited the growth to the increased use of A7A5, a ruble-pegged stablecoin that transacted a total volume of more than $72 billion throughout the year.

Russia’s ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 has surpassed more than $100 billion in transactions in less than a year.#RussiaStablecoin #A7A5 #RussiaSanctionshttps://t.co/QUp9twlECE

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 23, 2026

At least $39 billion of transactions were correlated to wallets belonging to the Russian sanctions-evasion system A7, suggesting a high level of coordination of an activity related to state-consistent financial infrastructure, instead of extensive use of the market.

Stablecoins were the main vehicle, and the activity moved to less regulated and riskier channels as enforcement increased.

Cryptography was reconfigured by geopolitical pressures that influenced several areas, as Venezuelans have turned into major users of stablecoins and peer-to-peer transactions to pay their daily income, remittances, and informal services due to the lack of economic stability.

In Iran, crypto buying and selling activities have been resilient to sanctions, with the total volume of transactions decreasing in the June 2025 Iran-Israel war, yet values went up, indicating larger transfers, with illegal operations reaching up to $580 million.

Iran is reportedly offering ballistic missiles, drones and warships to foreign governments for cryptocurrency, seeking payment routes that bypass Western financial controls.#Iran #ArmsTrade https://t.co/kfVy8B4bgL

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 2, 2026

Scams, Hacks, and AI Fuel Crypto Crime in 2025

Another key cause of illicit volume was crypto theft, where $2.87 billion was stolen in almost 150 hacks and exploits in 2025.

Although there was a slight decrease in the number of incidents, the number of losses shot up as attackers began to target operational infrastructure instead of smart contracts.

Source: TRM Labs

In February, a single breach at Bybit, which was linked to the North Koreans, cost the company $1.46 billion, or over half of the entire annual losses.

In total, five cases accounted for about 70% of stolen money, underlining the impact of several big attacks on annual results.

Fraud remained persistent, with scams accounting for an estimated $35 billion in losses, similar to 2024 levels. Investment scams, including so-called pig butchering schemes and Ponzi operations, made up nearly two-thirds of that figure.

Stablecoins dominated fraud inflows, and TRM noted that criminal networks increasingly used generative AI to scale outreach and create more convincing deceptions while accelerating laundering to move funds within days of receipt.

Other illicit markets also expanded, with online drug trafficking reaching more than $3.4 billion in crypto volume, driven largely by Russian-language darknet marketplaces.

The post Crypto Crime Hits $158B in 2025 – But Illicit Use Keeps Falling, Says TRM appeared first on Cryptonews.

Біткойн щойно досяг $90,000 сьогодні, 28 січня, перш ніж знову впасти незабаром після цього. Типово, але цього разу це відчувається по-іншому, оскільки XRP та Solana намагаються наздогнати.

На момент написання Біткойн торгується за $89,500 і зріс на 2.14% за день.

Біткойн продовжує виглядати слабким, оскільки акції та золото знову досягають нових історичних максимумів. Альткоїни, такі як XRP та Solana, є пасажирами в цьому русі та страждають разом із Біткойном після важкого 2025 року в цілому. Нижче показано, як їхні ціни можуть змінюватися до 2026 року.

Those hoping the opening of 2026 would deliver a clear turning point for mainstream crypto adoption may need to dial back expectations. Still, quieter periods are often the most compelling entry points for investors who want to maximise the next bull run.

Coinbase recently stepped away from backing the CLARITY Act, a proposed U.S. bill aimed at clarifying which regulators oversee different segments of the crypto market. In response, the Senate Banking Committee has delayed the bill by several weeks.

Even so, the path toward comprehensive crypto regulation in the United States appears increasingly unavoidable. At the same time, Bitcoin’s market dominance has been trending lower since summer, meaning the next bull run will more likely be led by altcoins like XRP, Cardano, and Pepe.

XRP (XRP): Payments-Focused Blockchain Targets $5 in Q1

XRP ($XRP), with a market capitalization hovering around $118 billion, is the most established digital asset in global payments, valued for rapid settlement and ultra-low transaction fees.

Ripple engineered the XRP Ledger (XRPL) as a faster, cheaper alternative to legacy messaging networks such as SWIFT for banks and financial institutions.

Ripple’s network has attracted attention from the UN Capital Development Fund and the White House, reinforcing XRP’s reputation as a serious paradigm changer in the field of global payments.

After resolving its long-running lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, XRP rallied to an all-time high (ATH) of $3.65 in mid-2025. Broader market weakness later triggered a pullback of roughly 47%, leaving the token trading near $1.93.

A key recent development has been the approval of spot XRP ETFs in the U.S., opening the door to regulated exposure for both institutional and retail investors.

Further ETF launches and clearer regulatory frameworks could provide the momentum needed for XRP to approach the $5 level by the second quarter.

Cardano (ADA): Ethereum Co-Founder Delivers DeFi Giant

Cardano ($ADA) was founded in 2015 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson and officially went live in 2017.

Its Proof-of-Stake network is built on a foundation of peer-reviewed academic research, a methodology that continues to distinguish Cardano from other blockchain projects.

With a market capitalization of over $13 billion and total value locked (TVL) of $164 million, ADA still has significant headroom for growth before it can rival Solana as Ethereum’s primary challenger.

From a technical standpoint, ADA’s Relative Strength Index sits around 44. Over the last 24 hours, the token has climbed roughly 4%, pushing its price to approximately $0.36.

The emergence of a bullish falling wedge pattern in late 2026 suggests a possible imminent breakout. Under favorable market conditions, ADA could overcome nearby resistance and rally toward $1.20 by the end of the first quarter.

Should the CLARITY Act move forward, Cardano will likely revisit its ATH of $3.09 before the close of the year.

Pepe (PEPE): The Iconic Webcomic Became One of Crypto’s Most Copied Coins

Since launching in April 2023, Pepe ($PEPE) has quickly climbed to become the third-largest meme coin, fueled by the endearing and enduring appeal of Matt Furie’s Pepe the Frog.

Now capitalizing $2.1 billion, PEPE is the largest meme coin not based on a Shiba Inu theme. Speculation surged when famous Dogecoin/Bitcoin investor Elon Musk briefly adopted a Pepe image as his profile picture on X, prompting chatter about his possible Pepe holdings.

PEPE is currently trading near $0.0000050, marking a 21% gain over the past month. Even so, it remains about 82% below its late-2024 peak of $0.00002803 after a quiet summer and an underwhelming end to 2025.

Its Relative Strength Index stands at 45, reflecting neutral conditions following recent profit-taking. If a broader bull market emerges in Q1, PEPE could potentially reclaim its previous all-time high by the end of the quarter.

A sharp 69% surge between December 30 and January 6 underscored the token’s classic meme-coin volatility, amplifying market moves both upward and downward.

Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): Blending Meme Appeal With a Bitcoin Layer-2 Vision

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a newly introduced Bitcoin Layer-2 initiative aimed at boosting transaction throughput, reducing fees, and enabling advanced smart contracts on Bitcoin.

Built on the Solana Virtual Machine, Bitcoin Hyper combines decentralized governance with a Canonical Bridge that allows seamless transfers of Bitcoin across different chains.

The project’s presale has already secured more than $31 million, with some analysts speculating on potential returns ranging from 10x to 100x once the token begins trading publicly. A recent Coinsult audit found no critical issues within the project’s smart contracts.

The HYPER token serves as the backbone of the ecosystem, powering transaction fees, governance voting, and staking rewards.

Presale participants can stake their tokens for yields of up to 38% APY, though rewards are structured to taper as more users join the network.

With exchange listings expected later this year, Bitcoin Hyper’s presale provides early exposure to what could represent the next phase of Bitcoin’s tech.

Visit the official website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.

Visit the Official Website Here

The post Best Crypto to Buy Now January 28 – XRP, Cardano, PEPE appeared first on Cryptonews.

Коли його використовують з ретельно структурованими запитами, модель AI Alibaba, відома як KIMI, генерує вражаючі прогнози цін для XRP, Solana та Dogecoin на наступні одинадцять місяців.

Модель пропонує, що продовжений бичачий ринок, в поєднанні з більш чіткими та підтримуючими регуляторними рамками в Сполучених Штатах, може підштовхнути провідні цифрові активи до нових рекордів у наступні роки.

Нижче наведено прогнози Alibaba AI щодо трьох криптовалют, які, на їхню думку, можуть досягти несподіваних нових рекордів (ATH) цього року.

Материнська компанія Grayscale тихо розпродає активи Solana, якраз у той час, коли ціна токена продовжує зазнавати труднощів після місяців падіння.

Це спровокувало нові дебати щодо оптимістичних прогнозів ціни Solana, і трейдери тепер запитують, чи є це сигналом про глибше падіння попереду, і чи готуються великі гравці до більшого корекційного руху.

Загалом 18,862 акцій GSOL, які DCG придбала у вересні 2024 року, нещодавно були продані. Вартість цих акцій перевищує 170 000 доларів на момент написання.

Співзасновник Dogecoin Біллі Маркус виключив ширший ринковий крах як фундаментальну проблему, поклавши провину на зміну поведінки інвесторів, що зірвало оптимістичні прогнози цін на Dogecoin.

Відзначаючи поточну крипто-ринкову кровопролиття у мем-форматі, Маркус зазначив, що дорогоцінні метали є вибором ринку для покупки на просадках, щоб хеджувати проти макро-наративу.

https://t.co/AGgBmkiF7C pic.twitter.com/5kyD4vxkY4

— Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) 27 січня 2026

Це окреслило питання як ослаблення ризикового настрою, з капіталом, що переходить з високо спекулятивних активів, таких як мем-монети, у традиційні безпечні гавані, оскільки інвестори надають пріоритет збереженню капіталу.

Hyperliquid (HYPE), рідний токен провідної постійної децентралізованої біржі, зріс більш ніж на 60% за останні три дні, причому технічні індикатори вказують на потенціал для додаткового зростання на 20%, оскільки протокол використовує зростаючий попит на дорогоцінні метали.

Після зниження з піку в $59.46, досягнутого в вересні, до близько $20, HYPE знову набрав обертів, піднявшись до $34.64 після розширення HIP-3, щоб включити торгівлю дорогоцінними металами.

Цей розвиток дозволив інвесторам, які залишалися осторонь, взяти участь у ралі хеджування девальвації, яке підштовхнуло золото та срібло до рекордних висот.

Bitcoin is rebounding, and it has returned to the higher structure of the high-$90,000 and low-$80,000 area after temporarily falling to the mid-$80,000s.

The shift has relieved short-term downside pressure, but market evidence indicates that the rally alone is insufficient to indicate that a new leg of a bull market is beginning.

Rather, analysts believe that the next step is whether a number of deeper regime indicators start to reverse to risk-on.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading around $89,500, up about 1.4% over the past 24 hours.

Source: Cryptonews

Bitcoin is down more than 7% over the last 14 days, showing sustained selling pressure that followed its retreat from record highs near $126,000 late last year.

While prices have been modestly higher over the past month, Bitcoin remains nearly 13% lower year to date and about 29% below its all-time high.

Bitcoin’s Long-Term Trend Remains Positive Despite Pullbacks

The first test for whether this bounce has durability lies in the broader trend structure.

Glassnode data indicates that Bitcoin continues to trade above its 200-day exponential moving average, which is a long-term metric that many institutions and macro-oriented traders pay close attention to.

Source: Glassnode

Trading above this level has been historically associated with structural bull markets, whereas trading below it has been bear phases.

The 200-day EMA is continuing to trend up, indicating that long-term demand has not yet disaggregated, and recent retreats seem to be corrective as opposed to an outright reversal.

ETF Flows Turn Cautious as Bitcoin Hovers Near Cost Basis

The second metric centers on demand, particularly from institutional investors through U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

Since October 2025, ETF holdings have fallen by more than $6 billion, an 8% decline from peak levels, showing the first major stress test for this relatively new investor cohort.

On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows Bitcoin is now hovering close to the ETF realized price near $86,600, the average cost basis for ETF buyers.

Source: CryptoQuant

Analysts describe this zone as a psychological pivot, as staying above reinforces conviction and stabilizes flows, while trading below it has historically accelerated redemptions as investors lose their profit buffer.

While outflows have softened and ETF realized prices have remained relatively stable, inflows have yet to return in a sustained way, leaving institutional demand cautious rather than decisively risk-on.

Short-Term Holders Hold the Line as Bitcoin Tests Key Levels

The third and arguably most sensitive metric is Bitcoin’s on-chain cost basis for recent buyers.

BitBo data show that Bitcoin still exceeds the Short-Term Holder realized price, which is estimated at the low end of the high-$60,000 to low-$70,000 range.

Source: Bitbo

It implies that most new buyers are yet to be in profit, which makes panic selling less likely, and it will be easier to buy out dips.

Trading above this level has historically been consistent with the bull-market environment, and consistent breaks below indicated a transition into more serious bear markets.

Glassnode reported that this week, Bitcoin was unable to hold a move back towards the short-term holder cost basis around $96,500 and dropped into a shallow pullback, which is similar to the first phases of previous bear markets in 2018 and 2022.

Source: Glassnode

However, only about 19.5% of short-term holder supply is currently at a loss, well below levels associated with broad capitulation.

Meanwhile, CryptoQuant analysts get concerned because the trend of Bitcoin supply held at a loss is upward, a pattern historically preceding deeper bear markets, even though prices are drifting down before ultimately stabilizing.

Early Bear Market Signal

“Historically, this shift has marked the early phase of bear markets, when losses begin to spread beyond short-term holders and gradually reach longer-term participants.” – By @Woo_Minkyu

Link https://t.co/Y1HIXfUmLw pic.twitter.com/u9daSX9N4o

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 28, 2026

Analysts also point to weakening on-chain demand, falling retail participation, and macro uncertainty, including concerns over U.S. liquidity conditions, as factors weighing on sentiment.

The post Bitcoin Is Bouncing – But These 3 Metrics Decide If the Bull Market Is Returning appeared first on Cryptonews.

ETH, можливо, тільки що отримав найсильніше схвалення з боку Уолл-стріт, коли корпоративна казначейська компанія BitMine пожертвувала своєю ліквідністю як свідчення оптимістичних прогнозів щодо ціни Ethereum.

Хоча більш широкий ринок зменшив ризики за минулий тиждень у відповідь на зростаючу макроекономічну невизначеність, BitMine поглибила свої активи в альткоїні ще на 40,202 ETH, довівши загальну кількість до 4,2 мільйона ETH.

Ще сміливіше, Lookonchain повідомляє, що компанія додатково застейкала 209,504 ETH, внаслідок чого загальна кількість застейканих активів становить 2,218,771 ETH. Це означає, що 52% її казначейства тепер є неліквідним.

XRP останнім часом відновлюється, але ціна все ще торгується в межах коливань з початку року. Проте крипто-трейдери виявили ключовий сигнал, який може додати імпульсу до оптимістичних прогнозів ціни XRP, потенційно викликавши новий ралі в найближчі дні.

Приближається зміна тренду для підіндикатора $XRP.

Конвергенція була порушена, і тренд змінюється. pic.twitter.com/nqpyASwoJN

— CW (@CW8900) 27 січня 2026

Трейдер CW8900, популярний криптоаналітик, якого слідкує більше 18,000 користувачів на X, відзначив ранній сигнал на покупку в спадному ціновому каналі на 4-годинному графіку, який, здається, вказує на те, що XRP готовий до руху.

Bangkok is set to host Wiki Finance Expo Thailand 2026 on April 24 at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. As a premier gathering for the region’s financial innovation community, the event will bring together over 7,000 attendees, 50+ speakers, and 70+ exhibitors from across Asia and beyond to explore the next wave of fintech and digital finance.

The expo will delve into critical themes shaping finance in Southeast Asia and globally, including:

• Fintech & AI: Automation and intelligent solutions.

• Digital Assets & Crypto: Market evolution and regulatory frameworks.

• Forex & Liquidity: Next-generation trading infrastructure.

• Web3.0, DeFi & DePIN: Decentralized finance and physical infrastructure networks.

• Tokenisation & RWAs: Bridging real-world assets with blockchain.

• Stablecoins & Payments: The future of digital settlement.

• TradFi Convergence: How traditional finance integrates new paradigms.

• ESG in Finance: Sustainable and responsible investment.

Attendees can expect a dynamic agenda featuring keynote addresses, interactive panels, startup showcases, and curated networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections among innovators, investors, and policymakers.

“Thailand represents one of the most vibrant fintech markets in Southeast Asia, with strong potential for cross-regional collaboration,” said Loki So, Chief Operating Officer of WikiEXPO. “This event aims to position Bangkok as a key dialogue hub where ideas and partnerships can flourish.”

Join the Event for free! Registration is now available at:
https://www.wikiexpo.com/Thailand/2026/en/?c=D3vIvCla

Sponsor or Exhibit: Explore tailored partnership opportunities.
Contact: Loki So
Email: [email protected]
Telegram: https://t.me/Loki_wikiexpo_coo

About WikiEXPO
WikiEXPO is a global hub for financial innovation, uniting visionaries and leaders in fintech, forex, and crypto industries. With a worldwide community of over two million followers, our iconic summits—held in global capitals including Dubai, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Bangkok, Singapore, Sydney, South Africa, and beyond—attract over 10,000 attendees per event, sparking thousands of transformative partnerships annually. From cutting-edge startups to industry giants, we connect the brightest minds. After six years of rapid development, WikiEXPO has become one of the world’s largest and most influential events in the forex and crypto field. Join WikiEXPO to inspire, collaborate, and discover the future of fintech.

Event Details:
Date: April 24, 2026
Venue: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Thailand

Mark your calendars—April 24, 2026 in Bangkok. Let’s shape the future of fintech together!

The post Wiki Finance Expo Thailand 2026 to Unfold in Bangkok This April — Spotlight onSoutheast Asia’s Fintech & Web3 Growth appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ціна Cardano зросла на 3% за останні 24 години, її підвищення до $0.36 відбулося в той час, як крипто ринок відновлює капіталізацію в $3.115 трильйонів, а S&P 500 досягає нового рекорду.

Недавній експлоїт на основі Ethereum висвітлив деякі відносні переваги безпеки Cardano.

Як стверджував член спільноти Cardano Дорі на X, платформа DeFi Makina Finance на основі Ethereum зазнала експлоїту з миттєвим кредитом на минулому тижні, в якому хакер вкрал понад $4 мільйони в токенах.

Це абсурд. Хакер використав уразливість у @makinafi на $ETH, але боти MEV виявили це першими і захопили більшість прибутку. В кінці кінців, Makinafi втратила близько $4.13M через хакера і ботів MEV.

Мемкоін на основі Solana, запущений гаманцем, пов'язаним з ймовірним крадіжкою криптоактивів, контрольованих урядом США, швидко обвалився після короткочасного сплеску торгової активності.

Токен, John Daghita (LICK), був створений на платформі запуску Pump.fun і спочатку викликав сильний спекулятивний інтерес, що призвело до його ринкової капіталізації майже 2,3 мільйона доларів протягом кількох годин після запуску.

Дані на блокчейні показують, що токен зріс більш ніж на 13 300% перед різким розворотом.

Скриншот, поділений Bubblemaps, показує, що LICK пізніше впав до приблизно $0.0011, втративши понад 14% своєї вартості протягом п'яти хвилин, оскільки тиск на продаж посилився.

П'єро Чіполлоне з Європейського центрального банку посилив попередження, що Європа не може дозволити собі відкладати свій проект цифрового євро, чекаючи на альтернативи з приватного сектору, зазначаючи, що використання готівки впало до лише 24% від щоденних транзакцій за вартістю у 2024 році, знижуючись з 40% п'ятьма роками раніше.

У інтерв'ю 22 січня з El País член Виконавчої ради ЄЦБ стверджував, що центральний банк повинен адаптувати свою платіжну інфраструктуру, оскільки технологічні зміни роблять європейців все більш залежними від неєвропейських постачальників для цифрових транзакцій, які тепер домінують в економіці.

Zodia Custody, the digital asset custody startup founded by Standard Chartered, has partnered with Dubai Insurance to introduce a crypto digital wallet designed for the UAE insurance sector.

The wallet will allow policyholders to pay premiums and receive insurance claims in digital assets, offering greater transparency and “operational modernization” across insurance workflows, said the firm.

Premium Payments and Claims in Digital Assets

The new digital wallet provides a regulated infrastructure that supports the receipt of premiums and the settlement of claims using crypto assets.

Dubai Insurance said the initiative is intended to streamline processes while ensuring high standards of governance, security, and compliance.

The company positioned the launch as part of its broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at improving customer experience and aligning insurance services with evolving financial technologies.

Dubai Insurance Reflects UAE Innovation Vision

Abdellatif Abuqurah, CEO of Dubai Insurance, said the launch reflects the UAE’s ambition to lead the future of digital finance.

“This initiative marks a defining moment for us and the insurance sector in UAE,” Abuqurah said. “By becoming the first insurance company to allow the receipt of premiums and payment of claims in digital assets through a secure digital wallet, we are redefining how insurance services are delivered while remaining firmly aligned with regulatory and governance frameworks.”

He added that insurers have a growing responsibility to provide confidence, strong risk management, and long-term value as digital assets become part of everyday financial life.

Zodia Custody Provides Institutional-Grade Security

Through the partnership, Dubai Insurance said it will leverage Zodia Custody’s institutional-grade custody platform, supported by advanced security architecture and global compliance standards.

Zane Suren, Managing Director, Commercial, Middle East and Africa at Zodia Custody, described the launch as an important step toward mainstream digital asset adoption in financial services.

“Insurers need trusted infrastructure that allows policyholders to transact confidently with digital assets,” Suren said. “Customers will have institutional-grade custody and controls that help make premium payments and claims settlement in digital assets secure, transparent, and operationally robust.”

UAE’s Role as a Global Fintech Hub

The launch further reinforces the UAE’s standing as a leading center for fintech and blockchain innovation. It aligns with the country’s broader digital economy ambitions and reflects its progressive approach to financial technology regulation.

In a recent report, Zodia Custody predicts 2026 is the year digital assets will “grow up,” seeing custody, collateral, and connectivity as the rising backbone of “market infrastructure,” with stablecoins, staking, and tokenisation opening up capital efficiency for institutions globally.

2026 will be marked by a digital asset maturation specifically custody, #stablecoins, tokenised funds, staking, #DeFi, and collateral, building critical market infrastructure, says a report by @ZodiaCustody.https://t.co/ZsNHe2iwzp

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 10, 2025

The post StanChart’s Zodia Custody Partners With Dubai Insurance to Launch Crypto Digital Wallet in UAE appeared first on Cryptonews.

Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has pushed back against growing criticism on social media after a short comment about “buy and hold” investing sparked renewed debate over market losses, exchange responsibility, and his influence on crypto markets.

The controversy traces back to a post Zhao shared on January 25, in which he said that, based on his experience, few trading strategies outperform a simple “buy and hold” approach, adding that it was not financial advice.

I've seen many different trading strategies over the years, very few can beat the simple "buy and hold", which is what I do.

Not financial advice.

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) January 25, 2026

The remark quickly circulated across crypto social media, with some users interpreting it as a blanket endorsement of holding any token listed on major exchanges regardless of quality or market conditions.

CZ Defends Comments as Critics Link Losses to Market Crash

As prices continued to struggle across much of the market, critics argued that the message ignored the reality that many tokens never recover once they enter prolonged downturns.

On Sunday, Zhao responded directly to what he described as “twisted FUD” around the comment.

Writing on X, he clarified that the statement was never meant to apply to every cryptocurrency ever created.

4. Have seen some twisted FUD on this "buy and hold" tweet. It obviously does not apply to every coin.

If you "buy and hold" all crypto ever created, you know how your portfolio will perform. Same as if you bought every internet or AI projects/companies…

In any industry,… https://t.co/ipXIOCLH6m

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) January 27, 2026

He argued that buying and holding all assets in any industry would inevitably lead to poor performance, since most projects fail while a small number generate outsized returns.

This reaction was preceded by a series of aggressive responses, such as harshly written messages accusing Zhao and Binance of market control, liquidations, and misinformed communication with the population.

Other users have pegged their criticism on the October 10 market crash, which erased tens of billions of dollars in leveraged positions in crypto.

Can Anyone Really Predict a Long-Term Crypto Winner? Changpeng Zhao Weighs In

Buy-and-hold questions also arose again in the token listing.

Zhao responded to a user when they inquired whether exchanges should just include assets that one can hold long-term by stating that nobody can credibly tell what projects will be successful several years later.

如果这个逻辑， 纳斯达克从1990年开始，就上10个（现在）头部的互联网公司就好了？曾经有成千上万个互联网创业公司，30年前怎么知道哪十个是最后的巨头呢？

没人能预测项目未来的发展。你能保证哪个币只涨不跌？

交易所应该尽量给努力的项目机会。不是交易所上的每个项目你都要买哦。DYOR。

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) January 28, 2026

He likened the crypto market to the early internet years, where exchanges ought to provide credible teams with an opportunity and investment decisions be left to users.

He stressed that the presence of a token on the list does not imply that anybody has to purchase it and repeated the necessity of personal research.

The controversy surrounding holding strategies has been conducted within industry tension on the wider plane.

Other traders stated that long-term holding, especially of large-cap assets like Bitcoin and Ether, has traditionally performed better than frequent trading among disciplined investors.

Others argue that long-term drawdowns, particularly in altcoins, have put many portfolios underwater, and as such, generalized advice can no longer be easily implemented.

Binance Under the Spotlight as Industry Reflects on October 10/10 Crash

Binance was closely linked to the October 10–11, 2025 crypto market crash after technical failures during extreme volatility prevented users from managing orders, worsening mass liquidations.

Over 1.66 million crypto traders were liquidated as the market experienced a sharp downturn, wiping out $19.33 billion in positions.#Trump #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/7PNRagvFrx

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) October 11, 2025

System overloads, pricing display errors, asset depegging, and failed risk controls contributed to $283 million in losses.

Binance acknowledged the issues, compensated affected users, fixed pricing bugs, strengthened infrastructure, and updated risk parameters to prevent a repeat.

@Binance will compensate verified user losses caused by technical failures during the $19B market liquidation event.#Binance #Cryptohttps://t.co/DuhHhPwRzm

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) October 12, 2025

Institutional voices have also entered the conversation, with market observers noting that forced deleveraging following October’s crash appears largely complete, shifting attention toward longer-term positioning rather than short-term volatility.

At the same time, criticism of Binance has expanded beyond trading philosophy into governance and market structure.

Industry executives, including Star Xu, the CEO of OKX, have publicly warned that short-term incentives and aggressive token promotion can undermine trust and slow broader adoption.

People have underestimated the impact of 10/10. The incident caused real and lasting damage to the industry.

An industry-leading company should focus on strengthening core infrastructure, building trust with global users and regulators, and protecting the long-term interests of… https://t.co/DIU57u8utU

— Star (@star_okx) January 28, 2026

Supporters of Binance, however, argue that much of the backlash reflects broader frustration with the market cycle rather than evidence of coordinated wrongdoing.

The post Binance Founder CZ Fires Back at FUD Over ‘Buy and Hold’ Tweet — Here’s What He Really Meant appeared first on Cryptonews.

Fidelity Investments is preparing to enter the stablecoin market with the upcoming launch of its first digital dollar token, Fidelity Digital Dollar (FIDD).

In an announcement on Wednesday Fidelity one of the world’s largest asset managers said it is entering into regulated on-chain payments and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

The stablecoin will be issued by Fidelity Digital Assets, National Association and is expected to be available to both retail and institutional investors in the coming weeks.

Fidelity said the product is designed to combine the reliability of the U.S. dollar with the operational benefits of blockchain technology.

A Digital Dollar Backed by Fidelity’s Institutional Infrastructure

FIDD will aim to provide investors with a stable digital representation of the U.S. dollar, supported by Fidelity’s institutional-grade custody and security framework. The company explains that the token will be built on more than a decade of digital asset research and development.

“At Fidelity, we have a long-standing belief in the transformative power of the digital assets ecosystem,” said Mike O’Reilly, President of Fidelity Digital Assets. “As a leading asset manager and a digital assets pioneer, Fidelity is uniquely positioned to provide investors with on-chain utility via a digital dollar.”

Full-Service Stablecoin Model: Issuance, Reserves, and Redemption

Fidelity said the key functions of FIDD will be supported by multiple Fidelity business units, offering what it described as a full-service stablecoin model.

Reserve asset management will be conducted by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, leveraging the firm’s longstanding experience overseeing client assets.

Eligible customers will be able to purchase or redeem FIDD tokens directly through Fidelity platforms, including Fidelity Digital Assets, Fidelity Crypto, and Fidelity Crypto for Wealth Managers, at a 1:1 exchange rate for U.S. dollars.

FIDD will also be available on major exchanges where listed, and holders will be able to transfer the token to any Ethereum mainnet address. Fidelity will publish daily disclosures on circulating supply and reserve net asset value on its website.

Launch Comes Amid Regulatory Clarity and Market Growth

Fidelity’s entry comes as stablecoins continue to expand rapidly, with the market now exceeding $316 billion in total capitalization.

The company also pointed to the recent passage of the GENIUS Act as a key development in providing clearer regulatory guardrails for payment stablecoins in the United States.

“We’re thrilled to launch a fiat-backed stablecoin at a time of increasing regulatory clarity,” O’Reilly said, adding that the goal is to support customer choice and enable a more efficient financial system.

Reports have been circulating for a while that Fidelity was preparing to launch its own stablecoin — and now the firm is officially set to roll out the Fidelity Digital Dollar.

@Fidelity Investments is reportedly close to launching a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, another step in its expansion into digital assets. #Fidelity #Stablecoinhttps://t.co/fmSaqAEO24

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) March 26, 2025

Fidelity Expands Its Digital Asset Ecosystem

Fidelity has been building its digital assets strategy since 2014, developing infrastructure and services comparable to those offered in traditional markets, including research, custody, trading, and investment products.

The launch of FIDD marks the firm’s latest step in broadening its digital asset offerings for intermediaries, institutions, and retail investors as stablecoins become a central component of modern financial rails.

The post Fidelity to Launch First Stablecoin, Fidelity Digital Dollar (FIDD) — A New Era for Investors? appeared first on Cryptonews.

South Korea is moving closer to passing a new crypto bill that would require stablecoin issuers to hold a minimum of 5 billion won ($3.5 million) in capital, as lawmakers seek to formalize oversight of the virtual asset market.

According to local reports, the Democratic Party’s Digital Asset Task Force, led by Chairman Lee Jeong-moon, convened its second plenary session on January 28 at the National Assembly Members’ Hall to discuss legislative directions based on the bill’s provisions.

Representative Ahn Do-geol, serving as task force secretary, confirmed during a press briefing: “We agreed to set the legal capital requirement for stablecoin issuers at least 5 billion won.”

According to Daily Economic News, South Korea's Democratic Party has finalized the virtual asset market bill as the "Digital Asset Basic Law," planning to submit it for deliberation before the Lunar New Year holiday. Stablecoin issuers must have minimum statutory capital of at…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 28, 2026

Stablecoin Capital Threshold Mirrors Electronic Money Standards

The proposal, part of the forthcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, places stablecoins closer to traditional electronic money under Korean law at a time of heightened concern over market stability and capital flows.

Under the draft, any company seeking to issue stablecoins in South Korea must meet the threshold, aligning the rule with existing requirements for electronic money firms.

Lawmakers argue that because stablecoins function like digital cash, issuers should be subject to comparable financial safeguards.

The measure is intended to prevent undercapitalized firms from issuing tokens without sufficient backing, reducing the risk of abrupt collapses.

Officials say stronger balance sheets should help issuers absorb losses and manage operational risks, limiting potential harm to users during periods of stress.

Korea’s in a full-on stablecoin bubble right now:

There are zero clear regulatory guidelines on stablecoins so far.

Every other day, Korean financial news headlines are like: “XYZ bank/company just filed a trademark for a stablecoin.”

Whenever a listed company files a… pic.twitter.com/GG7wphTdzg

— 100y.eth (@100y_eth) July 7, 2025

Beyond capital rules, the bill introduces a new governance structure to manage market risks more effectively.

A proposed inter-ministerial body, the Virtual Asset Committee, would be led by the chair of the Financial Services Commission.

Other members would include the Bank of Korea’s deputy governor and a vice minister from the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The committee is designed to coordinate rapid responses to hacks, system failures, and major market disruptions.

The task force plans final coordination with the party’s policy committee and relevant government bodies before introducing the bill.

Lawmakers are targeting submission ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on February 17, 2026.

South Korea Central Bank Voices Concerns Over Stablecoin Risks

Despite progress on the bill, key policy disagreements remain unresolved.

Sensitive issues such as the scope of the Bank of Korea’s authority and potential limits on major shareholder holdings are still under discussion.

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong has repeatedly raised concerns about stablecoins, particularly those linked to foreign currencies.

Speaking at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, Lee warned that stablecoins could enable rapid cross-border capital movement, weakening capital controls.

South Korea considers domestic crypto issuance regime as central bank governor warns won stablecoins could be used to circumvent capital flow controls.#SouthKorea #Crypto #Stablecoinhttps://t.co/191aiNvzvc

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 27, 2026

He said the risks would increase if U.S.-dollar-pegged stablecoins were connected to U.S.-dollar-pegged tokens, allowing funds to exit the country quickly during market stress.

Those warnings come as regulators remain split on whether stablecoin issuance should be restricted to bank-led consortia.

At the same time, currency pressures have added to policymakers’ caution, with the won sliding to 1,431.15 per dollar amid tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Source: Google Finance

Corporate Crypto Access Expands After 9-Year Ban

The current regulatory improvement aligns with South Korea’s recent rollback of a 9-year ban on corporate crypto investment.

New guidelines now allow listed companies and professional investors to trade digital assets under defined limits.

Under the Virtual Currency Trading Guidelines for Listed Corporations, firms would be permitted to invest up to 5% of their equity capital in top-20 cryptocurrencies by market value.

The change represents the final phase of a three-step plan introduced by the Financial Services Commission in February 2025.

Once implemented, around 3,500 corporate entities are expected to gain access to crypto markets, though discussions continue over whether dollar-pegged stablecoins such as USDT will be included.

The post South Korea’s New Crypto Bill Sets $3.5M Minimum for Stablecoin Issuers – Can It Pass? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Біткойн торгується біля $89,000 цього ранку, оскільки крипторинки готуються до оголошення політики Федерального резерву о 2:00 PM ET.

Джерело: TradingView

Очікується, що засідання FOMC зберігатиме ставки на рівні 3.5%-3.75% з 97% консенсусом ринку, але прес-конференція голови Федрезерву Джерома Пауела о 2:30 PM може спричинити різку волатильність на ринку цифрових активів.

XRP торгується близько $1.89, в той час як Solana перебуває на рівні близько $127, обидва консолідуються після слабкості на вихідних, яка стерла понад $100 мільярдів з крипторинків за години.

The crypto market is up today. After sitting on the boundary between appreciation and drop yesterday, unchanged over the previous day, the cryptocurrency market capitalisation saw the green prevail, rising 2.2% over the past 24 hours. It now stands at $3.12 trillion. Also, 90 of the top 100 coins posted price increases. The total crypto trading volume stands at $128 billion.

TLDR:

Crypto market cap is up 2.2% on Wednesday morning (UTC);

90 of the top 100 coins and 9 of the top 10 coins have gone up;

BTC increased by 1.7% to $89,419 and ETH rose 3.8% to $3,020;

Bitcoin jumped in early Asia trade as well;

ETH is trading on a key breakeven zone for many holders;

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan says crypto now has a critical three-year window to prove real-world utility;

‘The longer Bitcoin remains under $100,000, the more momentum will trend to the downside’;

A South Dakota lawmaker reintroduced legislation that would allow the state to invest 10% of its public funds in BTC.

US spot BTC and ETH ETFs posted outflows of $147.37 million and $63.53 million, respectively;

Crypto market sentiment saw an increase but stayed in the fear zone.

Crypto Winners & Losers

On Wednesday morning (UTC), 9 of the top 10 coins per market capitalisation have seen their prices appreciate.

Bitcoin (BTC) increased by 1.7%, currently trading at $89,419. This is the smallest green percentage in the category.

Bitcoin (BTC)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Ethereum (ETH) appreciated just 3.8%, changing hands at $3,020. This is the category’s second-highest jump.

Among the best performers is Binance Coin (BNB), which increased by 3.4%, now trading at $905.

At the same time, the only fall among the top 10 is 0.7% by Tron (TRX), now trading at $0.2921.

Furthermore, of the top 100 coins per market cap, 90 have posted price increases today.

Hyperliquid (HYPE) is the day’s highest gainer, posting the category’s only double-digit rise of 25.3% to $34.62.

Canton (CC) follows with a 9.4% increase to $0.1655.

On the red side, at the top, we find River (RIVER). It’s down 9.3% to the price of $54.55.

Provenance Blockchain (HASH) follows, falling 7.6% to $0.02531.

The rest are down 3% and less per coin.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin jumped in early Asia trade as well, initially seeing a choppy open. Investors have since focused on US earnings and discussions on more funding for OpenAI.

Bitcoin edged toward $89,000 in Asia, but thin ETF inflows and lighter derivatives positioning kept traders cautious ahead of US earnings.#bitcoin #AsiaMarketOpenhttps://t.co/pNFPJkn2DS

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 28, 2026

ETH Trading In a Key Zone

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan recently said that crypto markets now have a critical three-year window to prove their real-world utility. Otherwise, the ongoing legislative uncertainty in the US could halt industry momentum.

“If, at the end of three years, we’re all using stablecoins and trading tokenized stocks, we’ll get positive crypto legislation regardless of who is in charge,” Hougan wrote. “But if crypto is instead still operating on the edges, a change in Washington could be a huge setback.”

Glassnode analyst Chris Beamish wrote on Twitter that ETH is trading in a breakeven zone for many holders.

Notably, he argues that this is a key level on which the next move depends.

“Holding here suggests absorption and base building,” Beamish writes. A breakdown, however, “would move price into thinner support where underwater supply may derisk.”

$ETH is trading on a dense cost basis cluster, a key breakeven zone for many holders. Holding here suggests absorption and base building, but a breakdown would move price into thinner support where underwater supply may derisk.
Next move hinges on this level.… pic.twitter.com/iI4jaX8zf6

— Chris Beamish (@ChrisBeamish_) January 27, 2026

Nic Puckrin, investment analyst and co-founder of Coin Bureau, argues that BTC needs the move above the $100,000 mark.

“The longer Bitcoin remains under $100,000, the more momentum will trend to the downside,” he writes in a comment.

A new all-time high in 2026 isn’t out of the question yet, Puckrin says, but “the next 30 days will be crucial in determining whether a bear market is already here.”

Levels & Events to Watch Next

At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, BTC was changing hands at $89,419. It started the day at the 87,990 level, soon reaching the intraday low of $87,315. However, it then surged to the day’s peak of $89,419.

It has turned red in the 1-week timeframe as well, even if barely. It’s up 0.2%, trading between $86,319 and $90,475.

BTC hasn’t been able to break the $90,000 level by the time of writing, but breaking it would open doors for higher zones, starting with $91,500-93,000. Staying above $91,200 could help it move up to $93,300 and then $95,500. Otherwise, it will return towards $86,000.

At the same time, Ethereum was trading at $3,020. Similarly to BTC, ETH attempted a jump higher earlier in the day, from the low of $2,899 to the $2,989 level. It, however, wasn’t able to hold it this time. It plunged before initiating a more sustainable push upwards, surpassing $3,000 and hitting the intraday high of $3,028.

Over the past week, ETH appreciated 2%, moving in the $2,801–$3,044 range.

ETH now has a chance to reclaim even higher levels, starting with $3,100, then $3,180 and $3,220. A bearish pullback would take it back to $2,900 and $2,840.

Ethereum (ETH)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Moreover, the crypto market sentiment has seen an increase after a couple of days of sitting on the fence.

The crypto fear and greed index currently stands at 34, compared to 29 seen over the past two days.

Notably, despite this jump, the metric remains within the fear zone. A higher surge in optimism is needed to push it back into the neutral territory.

ETFs Inflows Were Short-Lived

After a minor uptick yesterday, which broke a week-long red streak, the US BTC spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted outflows again on Tuesday. These funds let go of $147.37 million in total on 27 January.

Therefore, the total net inflow decreases to $56.35 billion.

Of the twelve ETFs, two saw outflows. BlackRock said goodbye to $102.81 million, while Fidelity posted outflows of $2.79 million.

The US ETH ETFs also recorded outflows during the Tuesday session. These totalled to $63.53 million. The total net inflow now stands at $12.36 billion.

Of the nine ETH ETFs, one saw inflows, and two posted outflows. Grayscale ETH Mini Trust added $9.99 million.

However, BlackRock recorded $58.97 million in negative flows, followed by Grayscale’s $14.55 million.

Meanwhile, in the US, a South Dakota lawmaker has reintroduced legislation that would allow the state to invest a portion of its public funds in Bitcoin.

It would amend South Dakota’s public investment statutes and permit the State Investment Council to allocate up to 10% of eligible state funds to BTC. Moreover, the bill would allow exposure through direct holdings, qualified custodians, or regulated exchange-traded products.

I am proud to say I have released my bill that would allow the State of South Dakota to invest in Bitcoin.

Strong money. Strong state.

— Logan Manhart (@ManhartLogan) January 27, 2026

Quick FAQ

Did crypto move with stocks today?

The crypto market has posted a higher increase over the past 24 hours than seen a day prior. Meanwhile, the US stock market closed the previous session with a mixed picture. By the closing time on Tuesday, 27 January, the S&P 500 was up 0.41%, the Nasdaq-100 increased by 0.88%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.83%. Also, gold futures hit a new record, while their silver counterparts pulled back after a new high seen on Monday.

Is this rally sustainable?

We could see prices rise further over the following days. However, participants should not be surprised by sudden pullbacks either, as these are normal for the market. Incoming macro signals could affect the price movement in either direction.

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The crypto market is up today. After sitting on the boundary between appreciation and drop yesterday, unchanged over the previous day, the cryptocurrency market capitalisation saw the green prevail, rising 2.2% over the past 24 hours. It now stands at $3.12 trillion. Also, 90 of the top 100 coins posted price increases. The total crypto trading volume stands at $128 billion. Crypto Winners & Losers On Wednesday morning (UTC), 9 of the top 10 coins per market capitalisation have seen...

The post Why Is Crypto Up Today? – January 28, 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.