Cryptopolitan

Senator Chris Rose has proposed changes to West Virginia’s legal code that would authorize investments of up to 10% of its holdings in precious metals and select digital assets. 

Rose introduced a bill, the Inflation Protection Act, that would permit the West Virginia Board of Treasury to invest in precious metals, qualifying digital assets valued at more than $750 billion last year, and stablecoins. If it becomes law, it would open the door for the state treasury to invest in Bitcoin, the only digital asset that cleared the market-cap bar as of January.

West Virginia bill signals government acceptance of Bitcoin and stablecoins

The Inflation Protection Act allows any Treasury digital asset investment to be held with a qualified custodian, in an exchange-traded product, or through a secure custody framework. All stablecoin investments would also be restricted to tokens that U.S. or state government regulators acknowledge as eligible. The bill would be a defensive stance to curb inflation, according to supporters so far, rather than a major reorientation of fiscal policy.

Just like West Virginia, similar ideas have been floated in several U.S. states for governments to invest in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, but only Texas, Arizona, and New Hampshire have enacted such laws.

The West Virginia proposal’s prospects remain uncertain as it proceeds to the legislature’s Banking and Insurance Committee, where lawmakers will vet risk controls, market volatility, and fiduciary duties. The proposal implies to markets that governments now recognize alternative assets more often, typically after large price increases.

The bill also bolsters the picture of Bitcoin as a hedge against macroeconomic risks and a reserve-style holding asset rather than a speculative play. With all that said, the recent strong gains in Bitcoin suggest that modest government interest may not be enough to drive significant upside and instead reflect wider mainstream adoption. For gold and silver, it alludes to the metals’ conventional role as inflation hedges — though, as with cryptocurrencies, official-sector attention generally gravitates to long-term price gains.

Lawmakers just pushed back the markup of the CLARITY Act

West Virginia lawmakers introduced the proposal after the U.S. Senate postponed a scheduled review of legislation to establish a framework for digital asset markets. Industry actors have already expressed reservations about the CLARITY Act for DeFi, stablecoin incentives, and regulatory authority over digital assets. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong shared his view on the proposed Senate legislation on crypto market structure, less than a day after opposing its current draft. Before, he had written on X that Coinbase was retracting its support for the CLARITY Act, and the markup was later postponed.

He noted, “We developed this concern that if [the bill] went into a markup, the only way to edit some of that base text would have been through an amendment, and amendments had already been submitted.”

The executive added, “And so we didn’t think it was prudent to come out of committee with a bunch of these issues in the bill, which would have been catastrophic for the average American consumer. I think we’ve got a chance to do a new draft, and hopefully get into a markup in a few weeks.”

Still, key representatives in the tokenization sector see a different picture than Coinbase’s. “The current draft does not kill tokenized equities,” Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, said. It simply clarifies, he argued, that they’re still securities and must follow existing rules, a key step toward integrating blockchain into traditional markets.

According to Domingo, the push-and-pull around the bill is a “typical and healthy” part of the legislative process. Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate initially anticipated that the CLARITY Act would become legislation by 2026

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Is your portfolio feeling like a rollercoaster again? One day green, next day “uh-oh.” That’s exactly why the Ethereum Price Prediction conversation is hot right now, because smart money watches trends and watches timing. Today, you’ve got a rare mix: Ethereum still pushing forward, Bitcoin holding strong, and a tiny presale project trying to sprint past them while it’s still cheap.

Ethereum (ETH) is hovering near $3,326.16 while Bitcoin (BTC) sits around $96,507 with a Feb 13, 2026 model target near $102,812. Meanwhile, APEMARS ($APRZ) is live in Stage 3 “BANANA BOOST” at $0.00002448, aiming for a $0.0055 listing price, an estimated 22,300% ROI from Stage 3. It is emerging as the best crypto to buy now.

Ethereum Is Heating Up: Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction 2026, 2027–2030

Ethereum (ETH) is hovering near $3,326.16, and the current outlook tilts positive. The forecast points to $3,754.67 by Feb 13, 2026 (about +11.98%), with a short-term push toward around $3,702.27 over the next 5 days and a longer-term 3-month target near $6,077.17. Sentiment looks steady: Fear & Greed Index is 48 (Neutral), indicators read Bullish, supported by 16 green days out of 30 (53%) and 3.28% volatility.

ETH is holding above the 50-day SMA (~$3,044.37), while the 200-day SMA (~$3,582.28) is the longer-term level traders want reclaimed; RSI is 64.58 (neutral but getting warm). For 2026, projections suggest a range roughly $3,353.11–$6,347.82, average of $4,508.33 (~90.92% upside if the model holds). A scenario says $1,000 held until Apr 17, 2026 could show ~$909 profit. 

Bitcoin Keeps It Steady: Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2026, 2027–2030

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading near $96,507, and the latest model expects a modest climb to $102,812 by Feb 13, 2026 (+6.31%). Short-term targets stay tight, with a 5-day projection around $98,304, a 1-month estimate near $102,812, and a 3-month view around $102,611. Sentiment is Neutral (Fear & Greed 48), and BTC has posted 16/30 green days (53%) with 2.18% volatility, suggesting controlled moves.

Trend lines show the 50-day SMA ~$89,755 and 200-day SMA ~$105,935, while RSI is 65.72 (neutral but close to “getting hot”). For 2026, the projected channel is wide, roughly $74,425 to $105,000, with an average estimate near $92,830 and a modeled ~8.78% ROI. A sample scenario suggests $1,000 held until Feb 23, 2026 could show ~$87.79 profit (~8.78% ROI) 

APEMARS ($APRZ) With Ethereum Price Prediction Energy: The “Early Ticket” Play

When you hear Ethereum Price Prediction, you’re usually thinking: “Okay, ETH could climb… but how much?” With presales, the thinking flips to: “What if I’m early before the crowd?” That’s the whole APEMARS vibe right now, small entry point, loud momentum, and a story designed to keep attention week after week.

APEMARS isn’t trying to “replace” Ethereum or Bitcoin. Think of it like this: Ethereum and Bitcoin are big strong elephants. APEMARS is a fast little rocket skateboard, riskier, but built for speed if the hype and execution land. And because the presale is staged, time becomes your secret weapon.

APEMARS is gaining serious traction as it powers through Stage 3, “Banana Boost,” with momentum building fast. The presale has already raised $86,000, attracting 430 holders who are locking in positions early as confidence around the project continues to grow. With 4.1 billion tokens sold at this stage, demand is clearly accelerating, reinforcing APEMARS’ status as a best meme coin presale to watch. As Banana Boost progresses, the combination of rising participation, shrinking allocation, and early-stage pricing is creating urgency for investors looking to secure exposure before the next stage pushes valuations higher.

A Journey-Style Presale That Keeps FOMO Turning

APEMARS runs a 23-stage presale that represents a compressed “Mars journey.” Each stage lasts one week or until tokens sell out, and the progression is automatic. In simple words: it’s like levels in a video game. Early levels usually let you grab more items cheaper. Later levels get tighter, pricier, and more competitive.

That structure matters to US buyers because people here love momentum: countdowns, limited drops, stages, and “I got in early” bragging rights. It turns buying into a story instead of a boring checkout page, exactly what makes meme coins spread fast on social media and group chats.

How to Buy APEMARS ($APRZ) (Stage 3 BANANA BOOST)

Go to the official APEMARS presale page.

Connect a compatible wallet (non-custodial wallets supported since it’s ERC-20).

Choose your payment option on the presale interface.

Enter the amount you want to contribute and confirm the transaction in your wallet.

Save your transaction confirmation details for your records.

 Investment Scenario: “What If $1,000 Today Turns Into a ‘Why Didn’t I?’ Story?”

Let’s play the fun math game, because this is the part people actually care about. At Stage 3 price = $0.00002448, a $1,000 buy gets you about 40,849,673 $APRZ tokens (≈ 40.85M).

Now the spicy part: if $APRZ listed at $0.0055, that bag could be worth around $224,673, and that’s where the 22,300% ROI story comes from. This is why presales hook the US crowd: people want a real “life-upgrade” shot, debt paid, a side hustle funded, family helped, and the brag moment of “I got in early.”

Conclusion

The Ethereum Price Prediction numbers look exciting, and Bitcoin still feels like the “big boss” of crypto, steady, strong, and respected. But here’s the twist: big coins usually move like big ships… slower, safer, and with smaller multipliers. If you want that “I was early” moment, presales are where people hunt for it, and APEMARS is literally built to keep momentum with stages, story, and scarcity triggers.

APEMARS ($APRZ) is live in Stage 3 BANANA BOOST at $0.00002448, with a target $0.0055 listing price and a 22,300% ROI scenario (not guaranteed). If you wait for it to be “obvious,” you’ll likely pay more, so check the presale and decide if you want your early ticket to Mars: APEMARS ($APRZ).

For anyone studying market-wide rankings and early-stage narratives, the supporting figures in this article are consistent with insights gathered by Best Crypto to Buy Now, an aggregator of trends, comparisons, and emerging themes.

For More Information:

Website: Visit the Official APEMARS Website

Telegram: Join the APEMARS Telegram Channel

Twitter: Follow APEMARS ON X (Formerly Twitter)

FrequentlyAsked Questions

What is Ethereum Price Prediction for Feb 2026 based on the data here?

The model points to about $3,754.67 by Feb 13, 2026, around +11.98% from $3,326.16. It’s a forecast scenario, not financial advice or a guarantee.

Is APEMARS ($APRZ) safer than Ethereum or Bitcoin?

No. Ethereum and Bitcoin are established and typically lower risk than presales. APEMARS ($APRZ) is earlier-stage and higher risk, but that’s why the upside scenario can look bigger.

How many tokens do you get for $1,000 in APEMARS ($APRZ) at Stage 3?

At $0.00002448, $1,000 buys about 40,849,673 $APRZ tokens (around 40.85 million). This is simple math, and it doesn’t include possible fees.

Can Ethereum Price Prediction change quickly?

Yes. Crypto forecasts can shift fast due to macro news, ETF flows, regulations, or market sentiment. Indicators like RSI, moving averages, and Fear & Greed can change within days.

What makes APEMARS different from other presales?

APEMARS uses a 23-stage presale “Mars journey” and scheduled burns at stages 6, 12, 18, and 23. The design aims to keep momentum and scarcity visible.

Does $APRZ have a guaranteed 22,300% ROI?

No. The 22,300% number is a scenario based on Stage 3 price and a $0.0055 listing target. Prices can change, and outcomes are never guaranteed in crypto.

During each crypto cycle, there is a limited number of altcoins that are noticeable not due to hype but because they keep climbing up as the majority of traders remain in the spectator stand. Analysts report that one of the cheapest cryptocurrencies has emerged unnoticed as upwards of 300% in the first part of 2025 and is currently at a phase where practical use may start to determine long-term worth. The big question that is posed by many traders is whether it can be one of the best cryptos to grow in the long run as we move to Q2 2026.

Design of Mutuum Finance (MUTM)

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) develops a decentralized lending protocol that should be used by users who would like to lend and borrow crypto assets with the use of smart contracts on the system once the system becomes operational. The architecture is divided into two lending environments.

The initial environment is denoted P2C where shared liquidity pools are utilized. Users will post assets and get mtTokens indicating their portion of the pool and the rate of interest it earns. To illustrate that, a supplier that deposits $2,000 worth of ETH with an APY of 6% would have his/her mtTokens increase with the balance as the value approaches $2,120 in a year in a stable environment. In this pool-based model, borrowers are able to borrow money without the need to wait and have a direct match.

The second is the P2P environment that establishes a separate lending and borrowing markets of assets that do not necessarily belong within the pooled liquidity. P2P loans have borrowing rates and Loan-to-Value regulations. 

When a user pledges collateral in the amount of $1,000, with LTV of 70 percent, he/she can borrow as much as $700. In case volatility causes the position to exceed the safe threshold, liquidators repay part of the debt and purchase the collateral at a discount. This makes the protocol solvent even when prices change at a rapid rate, which is crucial to the DeFi crypto lending platforms.

Participation and Pricing

Mutuum Finance started its token sales in early 2025 at a price of $0.01 and has traversed through various fixed-price levels until it is now in the phase where its price is at $0.04. That is about 300% growth to people who will be early entrants. Planned launch price will be at a value of $0.06, and early Phase 1 buyers will be placed at approximately 500% MUTM appreciation.

The distribution stage demand has not been explosive but stable. Mutuum Finance has now secured approximately $19.8M and in excess of 18,800 holders are registered to date. 

Allocation of phasing has been stricter within the recent weeks as the present stage is being sold out more rapidly than the previous ones. The project also introduced a 24 hour leaderboard with rewards of the best daily player of $500 in MUTM, which has made more people participate.

V1 Launch, Security Stack and Analyst Outlook

The official X account of the project states that Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is working on the V1 protocol deployment on testnet, prior to the activation of the mainnet. Such an achievement is important since lending and borrowing procedures are usually valued when they are put into use and revenue is recorded on-chain.

The roadmap has included security preparation. Halborn Security conducted an audit of the codebase on the lending, and CertiK 90/100 on the MUTM token scan. There is a bug bounty of $50,000, which is active to find weak points before actual assets are transferred across the system.

Surveys of analysts modeling the future post-launch performance project a possible trading range of $0.20 to $0.28 in the first full year in the event of lending volume. That would be 400% or 600% times more than the present, successful adoption value of the current stage of the price at $0.04.

Layer-2 and Stablecoin

Other upgrades to be realized by Mutuum Finance are stablecoin borrowing and layer-2 expansion, which are long-term. Stablecoins assist in generating predictable borrowing demand since the rates and repayment values are not affected during the time of volatility. 

The layer-2 functionality enhances the rapidity of liquidation and minimizes network expenses, which is essential during rapid fluctuations of the market. That is why analysts regard MUTM as a new cryptocurrency with infrastructure potential as opposed to a rotation play that is not long-term.

The bigger picture sees traders who want to grow their holdings in the long term monitoring whether Mutuum Finance will be able to transition into usage and off development, which ultimately has characterized the most successful crypto investments of the last couple of intermittencies.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Uniswap has officially launched on X Layer, the Ethereum-compatible layer-2 blockchain developed by crypto exchange OKX, marking a major expansion of the decentralized exchange’s presence across low-cost blockchain environments.

The integration positions Uniswap as the preferred decentralized exchange (DEX) on X Layer, giving users direct access to Uniswap’s markets, including a wide range of crypto token pairs and liquidity pools, with layer-2 transaction costs and without interface fees collected by Uniswap Labs.

Analysts weighed in on this integration. According to them, this incorporation marks a significant milestone in the crypto industry, enabling X Layer’s clients to access various aspects of Uniswap’s markets, including several crypto token pairs and liquidity pools, citing information from sources close to the situation who maintained anonymity. 

Meanwhile, during an interview, a representative from the protocol stated that swaps will incur layer-2 fees, while Uniswap Labs, the software company that created and maintains the Uniswap Protocol, will not charge any fees. 

Uniswap adopts a significant move in the crypto industry 

X Layer, a Layer 2 network for Ethereum established by OKX, launched on April 15, 2024. It coordinates with the Ethereum Virtual Machine to back core DeFi operations. Apart from this role, reports noted that the network links to OKX’s wallet and exchange to streamline users’ process of transferring their assets into the layer-2 network.

Following this discovery, sources acknowledged that Uniswap had reinforced its reputation as the largest and most widely preferred decentralized exchange. As of today, the protocol holds about $4.4 billion in total value locked, according to reports from DefiLlama.

Hayden Adams, the founder of Uniswap Labs, weighed in on the integration, predicting it will boost Uniswap’s operational performance and increase liquidity to the protocol. 

“This collaboration is a ‘core pillar of phase two’ in the company’s three-phase rollout plan, which aims to connect major DeFi protocols and strengthen core infrastructure,” Star Xu, the founder and CEO of OKX, said.

Notably, the DEX protocol’s move demonstrated a growing trend whereby centralized exchanges are increasingly integrating on-chain activity into their user profiles.

Several crypto exchanges, including Uniswap’s lead

As the trend intensified, reports stated that Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, launched a Layer 2 blockchain in February 2023. Its intended purpose was to provide developers with a budget-friendly, secure environment for developing decentralized applications. 

By early 2024, officials at the crypto exchange noticed that Base was gaining fast traction among decentralized exchange traders and rapidly outpacing competitors such as Ethereum and Arbitrum. This statement was confirmed by a report from Token Terminal, a full-stack on-chain data platform that standardizes financial and alternative data for blockchains and decentralized applications (dApps).

By January 2024, Base accounted for around 80% of Uniswap’s monthly traders who actively participated in the protocol. 

Impressed with this contribution, crypto exchange Gate.io decided to take the same lead. The exchange made the introduction of Gate Layer, a high-performance Layer 2 blockchain network built on the OP Stack and secured by GateChain (its Layer 1), public in September 2025.

Consequently, the exchange referred to the Gate Layer as the core pillar of its DeFi ecosystem. It also introduced on-chain trading and liquidity products to its system as part of its broad Web3 strategy.

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OpenAI has cautioned that Elon Musk is likely to make wild, attention-grabbing claims in his upcoming trial against the AI company, now worth $500 billion. 

The April 2026 trial, part of Musk’s lawsuit against the company he helped co-found, comes in addition to his other claims against the company. OpenAI informed its investors about this warning, which it said was intended to help mitigate their concerns about what Musk might say in court — and to address some of those concerns. 

Musk started OpenAI together with Sam Altman and other researchers in 2015. Back then, the company was a nonprofit, meaning it focused on research rather than generating revenue. 

But the tech firm has evolved in the years since into a for-profit entity, including a for-profit collaboration with Microsoft. That change is at the core of Musk’s lawsuit.

Musk files lawsuit against OpenAI

OpenAI informed investors of the warning to help mitigate concerns over what Musk might say in court. The trial marks a public escalation of a feud that has stretched back years, while the company’s letter aims to reassure investors. The tech firm has raised billions in venture capital funding, and its valuation has grown to $500 billion.

Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in 2024, alleging he was “assiduously manipulated” and “deceived” after the AI company explored converting to a for-profit entity and established an “opaque web of for-profit OpenAI affiliates,” including its multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft.

Musk departed the company’s board in 2018. Still, he has argued that he is owed “the value of all intellectual property developed” from his contributions, potentially amounting to billions of dollars, according to a complaint.

The tech firm, however, strongly disagrees. In a letter to investors, the company described the lawsuit as “baseless” and said that, based on the record so far, the case is likely worth no more than the $38 million Musk donated when he helped start OpenAI.

The court has now ruled that Musk’s case will proceed to trial in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. This means a jury will hear both sides and decide whether Musk’s claims have merit.

OpenAI defends itself against Musk’s claims

OpenAI said Musk may use statements that are not based in reality to raise his profile in the media. These are the strategies Musk has employed in the past, and the firm said its team is ready to ensure a jury understands the facts. 

“Elon’s lawsuit remains baseless and without merit, and our team is focused on ensuring the jury sees these claims for what they are,” OpenAI said.

The company noted it had a strong case and was confident it would win, as indicated in its letter to investors. The company is also saying that even if Elon Musk tries hard to claim a large sum, the real value of the case is much lower than what he might claim in court. 

This trial demonstrates that people who once worked together can sometimes disagree over ideas, money, or technology. That’s because Musk and OpenAI had been in partnership much earlier and were working to build one of the most powerful AI companies in the world. Only to be on opposite sides in a huge lawsuit. 

This is part of the story of OpenAI. The company has burgeoned rapidly and is now worth hundreds of billions of dollars. 

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Demis Hassabis, the head of DeepMind, says that China is rapidly catching up in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Hassabis believes that China’s AI may lag only a few months behind the United States. 

China’s big tech giants, including Alibaba and newer startups like Moonshot AI and Zhipu, have developed a range of AI models that have performed extraordinarily effectively over the past few years. One such Chinese firm, DeepSeek, created a model that shocked most experts by performing well even with cheaper computer chips. 

This indicates that the state is not only learning from others’ experience but is also rapidly catching up and closing the gap with leading AI programs worldwide.

Hassabis emphasized that while the country can match much of what the U.S. is doing, the next challenge is innovation—creating something completely new that pushes the world forward. For now, Chinese AI is getting very close to the frontier, but the world will be watching to see if it can go beyond it.

Chinese AI is strong but still behind in original ideas

China, Hassabis said, is well on its way to catching up, but the bigger question is whether it will be able to invent something completely new in AI. He said inventing is about 100 times harder than copying or improving what already exists. 

For instance, he referred to the Transformer, an idea first proposed by Google researchers in 2017. That notion reshaped how artificial intelligence understands language, solves problems, and generates answers. Today, it is the backbone of a wide range of modern AI systems, including ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Hassabis observed that, until now, Chinese companies had not developed anything new that could completely revolutionize AI.

He compared DeepMind to Bell Labs, a famous research center from the past that made many major discoveries. Bell Labs encouraged scientists to explore and try new ideas.

Hassabis said DeepMind works the same way, trying new ideas rather than just copying. He believes the next big step in AI is innovation — coming up with completely new ideas — and that isn’t easy, even for China.

Chip shortages slow China’s AI progress

A challenge China is encountering is the shortage of computer chips. Strong AI requires very strong computers, and top-tier ones use chips from companies such as Nvidia in the United States. Currently, China cannot purchase the very best chips due to U.S. government regulations. It may be allowed to sell some advanced chips, but not the top ones. 

Chinese companies such as Huawei attempt to develop their own chips, but these are not as strong as Nvidia’s best. That means the state might struggle to train the biggest and most powerful AI programs. And over time, some experts say, this could widen the gap between American and Chinese AI.

Even leaders in China agree it is difficult. A technical expert from Alibaba recently said there is less than a 20% chance that a Chinese company will surpass the U.S. in AI over the next three to five years. He said the U.S. has much more powerful computer resources, which makes a big difference.

Still, Hassabis thinks the challenge is not just technology — it is also about how people think and invent. China has brilliant engineers, but creating something completely new is still very hard.

Other big tech leaders also notice China’s progress. Jensen Huang, the boss of Nvidia, said that China is strong in some areas, such as energy and infrastructure. He said the U.S. is ahead in chips, but China is close in AI models.

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China’s economy slowed to its weakest pace in three years as Donald Trump’s trade war highlighted the country’s heavy reliance on Western markets. Although the tariffs have since been lifted, major sectors are losing momentum.

China is one of the world’s biggest economies, but its gross domestic product softened to about 4.5% in the last quarter of 2025, the slowest in three years. The full-year growth was projected at 5%, matching Beijing’s target.

Even at a slower rate, China’s economy delivered results far better than some anticipated at the beginning of 2025. But sluggish growth reveals that China still has spending issues, particularly at home.

Those issues make it more difficult for families and businesses to succeed. Growth appears weaker in part because many factories and stores are under pressure due to weak domestic spending, even as sales abroad are strong. That means that while China sells a lot to other countries, people inside the country are not buying as much as previously.

Strong exports offset weak consumer activity at home

One of the biggest sources of strength for the Chinese economy in 2025 was exports. China set a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion last year. A trade surplus means the country sold more to other countries than it bought from them. 

This occurred even though Chinese exports to the United States fell by about 20% due to higher U.S. trade tariffs under President Donald Trump. But China made up for this by selling more to countries such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Exports have been key to helping China reach its 2025 growth target. But domestic spending did not grow much. Consumers didn’t buy as much in stores, and many businesses didn’t build new factories or houses.

Since people are not spending more, the prices of many goods and services in China have remained the same or even fallen, leading to deflation. When people anticipate that prices will fall later, they may postpone spending, which slows economic growth.

On top of that, investment has been weak. Some forecasts indicate that fixed-asset investment, one of the largest parts of economic activity, fell or grew only slightly in 2025. These weak trends make it clear that the economy is unbalanced – exports are strong, but consumption and investment at home are slow.

China faces a tougher road ahead

Given these patterns, strong exports and weak domestic spending, many experts believe China will have to adjust its economic growth strategy. Leaders in Beijing have stated they want individuals to consume more goods and services domestically and depend less on exports. They are also trying to figure out how to promote company jobs and give people more freedom to spend. 

One idea is to lower interest rates so it is easier for businesses and families to borrow from banks. This could encourage individuals to purchase homes, start businesses, and spend more. China’s central bank has begun cutting some rates to help core industries like technology and agriculture, and could further boost the economy. Yet there are still dangers ahead. Growth is likely to slow further in 2026 to about 4.5%, and experts say that if exports slow, China will have to rely on other policies – including government spending – to promote the economy. 

Slow domestic spending, coupled with persistent deflation, also means China will need to make significant efforts to turn its economy around and put it on an upward trajectory. As a result, Chinese families and workers may expect fewer new jobs than before and slower income growth unless consumer confidence improves. Stores, eateries, and small businesses may still suffer if people continue to save rather than spend. Meanwhile, strong exports will remain a key factor in keeping the economy going.

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Interactive Brokers, a large, global electronic brokerage firm widely cited for its strong drive to become the number one stablecoin trading firm, integrated a new 24/7 trading feature into its system, enabling users to expand their stablecoin holdings in their accounts whenever they need.

This announcement was made public on Thursday, January 15. At this time, the brokerage firm noted some advantages of using stablecoins in trading, asserting that stablecoins are a swift, affordable, and globally available option compared to other methods, such as wire transfers, which are perceived as regular funding methods. 

To further elaborate on its unique features, Interactive Brokers noted that stablecoins can extend trading hours, unlike traditional wire transfers.

Interactive Brokers embraces a major move aimed at increasing USDC adoption globally 

Following these assertions from the company, Milan Galik, CEO of Interactive Brokers, argued that, “Using stablecoin funding gives international investors the speed and flexibility they need in today’s markets. Clients can move funds and start trading within minutes while lowering transaction costs.”

Immediately after his remarks, sources close to the matter, who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the situation, clarified that Zerohash, a B2B crypto infrastructure provider, is the primary factor behind this incorporation’s success. Before initiating this upgrade, Interactive Brokers encouraged its retail investors in December to deposit several USDC in their individual brokerage accounts.

Notably, for the stablecoin to be effectively included in the client’s brokerage account, users were advised to transfer the cryptocurrency from their personal crypto wallets to a Zerohash wallet on a major network such as Ethereum, Solana, or Base that has current backing, thereby positioning this wallet as the most secure. Upon receipt of USDC, the digital asset is automatically converted to US dollars and added to the brokerage account.

Considering the increased adoption of stablecoins worldwide and their reshaping of global finance, Edward Woodford, the Founder and CEO of Zerohash, mentioned that the crypto infrastructure platform will charge a conversion fee as low as 0.30% per deposit, bringing the minimum charge to $1.

Apart from this fee, reports highlighted that users will also be required to pay the usual blockchain transaction charges. At this moment, sources highlighted that Mastercard proposed purchasing Zerohash for up to $2 billion. Acquisition talks proceeded; however, the current status of this discussion remains unclear.

Interactive Brokers positions itself as a leader in the crypto industry 

Interactive Brokers’ move to integrate 24/7 trading with USDC stablecoin funding comes as the firm seeks to launch more trading alternatives linked to stablecoins, potentially as early as next week. These options include RLUSD, a fiat-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, and  PYUSD, a stablecoin from PayPal, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.

Following this funding, reports from reliable sources indicated that the brokerage company publicly announced its intention to introduce its own stablecoin last year.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, is widely known for its low fees in the crypto industry.

It began operations in late 2021, offering crypto trading and custody services for four major assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. This operation took place in partnership with Paxos, a regulated blockchain infrastructure company. 

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Atomic Wallet submitted an online report regarding a user’s lost funds over the platform. It stated that they cannot confirm claims that a user lost 633 Monero tokens. The wallet provider reported that no support ticket was filed with them and that the available evidence does not prove the issue. 

The dispute emerged after an X user, going by the name Nicolas van Saberhagen, claimed that his claimed his Monero balance dropped to zero in real time after opening the Atomic Wallet app. He highlighted that 633 XMR were sent to the same address across multiple transactions. However, the application displayed a banner stating that funds were safe during the event. Those tokens were worth around $479,000 at that time.

Atomic Wallet flags unusual activity

In an X post, Atomic wallet assured that it reviewed the allegation of a $479,000 loss but found no verifiable proof so far. It mentioned that more than 20 hours had passed since the claim surfaced. Till now, they haven’t received any direct contact from the user through official support channels.

The company noted that screenshots alone cannot confirm a loss, as Monero transactions are private by design. Meanwhile, the wallet provider claimed that the same account later announced a 30 XMR giveaway shortly after reporting the alleged fund loss. Such behavior looks unusual.

The report found that the account making the claim was recently created and showed irregular follower growth. The wallet company allegedly has received impersonation reports linked to similar activity.

The firm also said the account making the claim was recently created and showed irregular follower growth. Atomic Wallet said it has received impersonation reports linked to similar activity. They clarified that it operates as a noncustodial wallet and does not control user funds. Users hold their assets on-chain under their own private keys. The company is still willing to investigate the matter once the user contacts its support team directly.

User blames closed-source wallet

Complainant’s account alleged that his Monero balance dropped to zero in real time after opening the Atomic Wallet app. He added that the tokens held in the wallet were not his main holdings. The Monero network processed valid transactions without discrimination. He said the cryptography behind the protocol did not fail. Instead, he framed the issue as a failure of trusting closed-source software with private keys.

So this just happened.

Opened Atomic this morning, watched my XMR balance go to zero in real time. 633 XMR total, sent to the same address in multiple transactions. At current prices, that’s roughly $479,000.

The app showed a nice little banner: “Your funds are safe.”

To be… pic.twitter.com/MAPlBmF7Vl

— Nicolas van Saberhagen (@nicolas_monero) January 14, 2026

This comes in when Monero price has spiked over the week. XMR price surged by more than 50% in the last 7 days. However, it saw a fresh sell-off, dragging XMR price down by around 5% in the last 24 hours. It is trading at an average price of $682 at the press time.

Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.

DeadLock, a ransomware group that first emerged in July 2025, has made news again, and this time it is for abusing Polygon blockchain smart contracts to manage and rotate proxy server addresses, according to research published by cybersecurity firm Group-IB. 

The ransomware operation uses blockchain-based smart contracts to store the group’s proxy server URL, allowing frequent rotation that makes it difficult for defenders to permanently block infrastructure.

After encrypting a victim’s systems, DeadLock drops an HTML file that acts as a wrapper for the decentralized messaging platform, Session.

How does the DeadLock ransomware work on Polygon?

Embedded JavaScript code within the file queries a specific Polygon smart contract to obtain the current proxy URL, which then relays encrypted messages between the victim and the attacker’s Session ID.

These read-only blockchain calls generate no transactions or fees, making them cost-free for the attackers to maintain.

Group-IB researchers noted that the exploit of smart contracts to deliver proxy addresses is an interesting method where attackers can apply infinite variants of this technique, with imagination being the only limit.

The technique is not well documented and under-reported but its usage is gradually gaining traction in the wild, according to security researchers.

Investigation by Cisco Talos revealed that DeadLock gains initial access by exploiting CVE-2024-51324, a Baidu Antivirus vulnerability, using a technique known as “bringing your own vulnerable driver” to terminate endpoint detection and response processes.

DeadLock comes up with new extortion tactics

DeadLock is different from most ransomware operations because it abandons the usual double extortion approach and does not have a data leak site where it could publicize attacks.

Instead, the group threatens to sell stolen data on underground markets while offering victims security reports and promises not to re-target them if ransom is paid.

Group-IB’s infrastructure tracking has not drawn any threads between DeadLock and any known ransomware affiliate programs. In fact, the group maintains a relatively low profile. However, they found smart contract copies that were first created and updated in August 2025 and later updated in November 2025.

Group-IB stated that it successfully “tracked its infrastructure through blockchain transactions, revealing funding patterns and active servers.”

Nation-state actors adopt similar techniques

Google Threat Intelligence Group observed North Korean threat actor UNC5342 using a related technique called EtherHiding to deliver malware and facilitate cryptocurrency theft since February 2025.

According to Google, “EtherHiding involves embedding malicious code, often in the form of JavaScript payloads, within a smart contract on a public blockchain like BNB Smart Chain or Ethereum.”

Polygon happens to be a layer-2 blockchain that’s built on Ethereum’s layer-1 infrastructure.

While DeadLock remains low volume and low impact, security researchers warn that it applies innovative methods showcasing a skill set that might become dangerous if organizations do not take the threat it poses seriously.

Apart from calling on businesses to be proactive in detecting malware, Group-IB recommended that they should add more layers of security, such as multifactor authentication and credential-based solutions.

The cybersecurity firm also stated that businesses should have a data backup, train their employees, patch up vulnerabilities, and, very importantly, “never pay the ransom” but contact incident response experts as quickly as possible if they ever get attacked.

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investors are again posing the question how to position themselves before the next big crypto bull cycle. One of the most popular questions is the following: how to make $1,000 grow big without collecting the overvalued coins at the top? According to analysts monitoring new crypto listings, the largest upside is frequently seen prior to the live protocols. 

At this very moment, more and more commentators are observing Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a presale altcoin that costs $0.04. Some analysts are also of the view that early positioning will be reaped as a big multiplier in 2027 in case the project achieves what its roadmap promises.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM)

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) presale was opened in early 2025 at $0.01. The current stage of pricing has reached up to $0.04 due to the demand. When launching, it is projected to be at $0.06 that would provide an immediate discount to early buyers at the time of launch. 

The presale has brought in over $19.8M raised and has over 18,800 holders participating. Approximately, 830M tokens are already sold. The 4B total supply is approximately divided into the presale amounting to 1.82B tokens and 45.5% of the total supply.

Mutuum Finance is developing a decentralized lending algorithm. After V1 is operational, users can then lend and borrow money via pooled contracts rather than one to one matching. Borrowers will make collateral and suppliers will gain interest. This two sided market structure distinguishes Mutuum Finance among meme driven tokens since the value of tokens is pegged to the utilization and income earned and not to sentiment alone.

First Price Prediction

The official X post states that V1 protocol is ready to be deployed on the Sepolia testnet prior to the mainnet coming online. This is one of the milestones since lending protocols require test environments to authenticate collateral, liquidations and oracle pricing. When V1 is activated, the system is likely to start collecting fees on lending and borrowing..

Some analysts are projecting MUTM trading at a range of $0.18 to $0.25 in the first large scale expansion after the mainnet launch in a bullish situation. That would be approximately 4x to 6x of presale prices in case listing and usage of the exchange coincide. These estimations are pegged on the comparisons to previous DeFi crypto launches in the initial stages of liquidity.

Growth Features

When V1 is accessible, the suppliers will be given mtTokens, which are proportions of the liquidity pool and the interest rate. This will provide lenders with a clear picture when they give collateral to the protocol. There will be revenue in terms of borrow interest and fees. 

Part of that revenue will be utilized in the purchase of MUTM in the open market. MUTM bought in the open market is redistributed to the users who stake the mtTokens in the safety module. This is an important characteristic that analysts attribute to the fact that the use of protocols is connected to token demand.

In the event that V1 is adopted and buybacks are turned on, analysts have produced a second long term projection. In the given case, bullish research notes have referenced MUTM trading in the range of $ 0.60 to $0.80 in the year 2027. 

That would be about 15x to 20x above present pre sale pricing. This is in line with the opinion of investors who pose the question of whether spending $1,000 today may turn out to be $20,000 in the next crypto cycle in case the liquidity and usage increase.

Phase 7 Acceleration and Whale Entries

Phase 7 has been selling faster than previous phases due to pricing being on its way to narrowing down to launch value. Another confidence signal that has been being used by Whales during the recent period is the act of allocating. 

Whales will enter in case they observe an empty road to liquidity and prospective listings. In the case of coming up with tokens, it is usually a transition point between informal participation in the presale and more serious capital formation.

As presale demand continues to surge, audits are done, V1 is approaching testnet and analysts are giving positive price expectations, Mutuum Finance is making watchlists in traders looking to find the best crypto to buy to become a long-term performer. In case the road map plays out, and revenue switches on the $0.04 pricing presale can become an early entry point and not a peak.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

State Street Corporation, a major global custody bank and financial services provider, has announced the launch of its new Digital Asset Platform. The endeavor is an attempt by the custody bank to grow in the asset class, which is increasingly becoming more popular. 

The new digital asset platform is being positioned as a secure, scalable infrastructure designed specifically for tokenized assets, which would make the firm a key bridge between tradfi and digital finance. 

It will focus on the development and support of various tokenized products, including ETFs, MMFs, and regulated stablecoins, according to what the  Boston-based company shared in an email to Bloomberg.

State Street launches digital asset platform 

The bank will collaborate with money managers and institutional clients, tapping into a deep network that currently runs into trillions in funds. That collaboration will also extend to its own asset-management arm, which has been launching separate products. 

Joerg Ambrosius, president of investment services, claims the platform’s launch is a step towards achieving State Street’s goals, which is to take things further where administration and accounting services are concerned. 

The firm already manages over $50 trillion for many of the world’s largest asset managers and institutions, while providing administration and accounting services for clients holding cryptocurrencies and crypto ETFs. 

The launch of its own digital asset platform means that it will no longer provide just back-office support, but also features like wallet management, custodial services, cash capability, and strong compliance controls. 

The main goal is to allow its institutional clients to access these products seamlessly across jurisdictions, not only on public permissioned channels but also on private blockchain networks. 

All of this was made possible by the POTUS’s support of the cryptocurrency industry as well as a more friendly outlook from regulators, which encouraged financial firms to expand in the asset class that the global finance world had relegated to speculative and risky. 

Tokenized fund launch with Galaxy Digital 

Last month, State Street Investment Management, an arm of the State Street Corporation, and Galaxy Asset Management, an affiliate of Michael Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital, unveiled plans to launch the State Street Galaxy Onchain Liquidity Sweep Fund (SWEEP), a tokenized private liquidity fund that is expected to serve as a bridge between traditional cash management and 24/7 liquidity. 

Aside from providing institutional investors with seamless, always-on liquidity for holding and managing cash-like assets in the digital space, the fund is designed to address the budding demand from crypto enthusiasts for instant redemptions as an alternative to traditional funds, which are limited to operating only during business hours. 

The redemptions will reportedly utilize PYUSD, which facilitates near-instant, on-chain processing. The endeavor is powered by Galaxy’s Digital Infrastructure, which will manage token issuance and provide secure blockchain infrastructure with State Street Bank and Trust Company acting as custodian for the fund’s treasury holdings. 

The fund is expected to make its debut in early 2026, with Solana chosen for the initial rollout because of its low cost and high throughput. It will expand to Stellar and Ethereum using  Chainlink for cross-chain interoperability. 

Ondo Finance is expected to provide a seed investment of $200 million to jump-start liquidity while encouraging an integration with Ondo’s ecosystem.

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The next wave of crypto investors is seeking the next cryptocurrency that will make it to the next rotation of the bull cycle. It is widely thought that the next best crypto to purchase will not be a product of the major alt coins but rather an altcoin that has the potential to capture a market share due to its usefulness. 

Analysts have begun to target the altcoin Mutuum Finance (MUTM) which is currently under $1 and which some analysts think may eventually be on the path to the top 20 cryptocurrencies by the year 2027 in case its roadmap is followed to the letter. The initial indication of this is the early movement of those who are tracking crypto prices today indicating that MUTM has multiple catalysts that are in the pipeline at the same time, some traders are positioning early.

Presale Structure and Metrics of Participation

In early 2025, Mutuum Finance began its presale at a price of $0.01. With the growing interest, the pricing progressed in different stages till it was at the level of $0.04 in the most recent phase. The MUTM launch is priced at $0.06 upon release and this puts the first movers in a good position in case the market justifies the price.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) has raised more than $19.8M in pre-sale and over 18,800 holders, and sold tokens to the tune of 830M MUTM. As several analysts have observed, such numbers are favourable to a new altcoin that is currently under $1, when compared to most presale projects that became the greatest crypto investments once they became available on centralised exchanges.

What Mutuum Finance is Developing

Mutuum Finance is building a dual lending platform that will enable users to borrow and lend digital assets within a decentralized setting. After activation, asset supplying users will get the mtTokens which reflect the share of the liquidity pool. The interest earned and the position taken by the user will be tracked by the mtTokens. Borrowers will pledge collateral and pay interest after the platform is operational and this will generate fee flow into the system.

It is the revenue model that has attracted the attention of the crypto investing analysts. Some of the protocol revenue will be bought on the open market to purchase MUTM. Open market purchases of MUTM are reissued to users who use it by staking mtTokens in the safety module. Such construction establishes a connection between the use of protocol and the value of tokens that meme coins such as DOGE or SHIB do not provide.

Preparation of security has been done in advance. Mutuum Finance was also audited by Halborn and received a 90 out of 100 score on CertiK token scan. Such initial verifications assist in the development of trust prior to mainnet deployment, which is crucial to any new cheap crypto that involves collateral and liquidations.

Growth Catalysts

Stablecoins will be one of the central commodities on the platform since they will enable borrowers to take predictable credit without the concern of fluctuating repayment curves. Analysts claim that projects where users can stable lend tend to be popular in bull markets when traders use leveraged trades on crypto prices.

Chainlink will supply Oracle feeds, which will have fallback sources to achieve fair pricing. Correct oracles are essential in the lending markets as they influence the collateral values and liquidation. Lending protocols may not work in high volatility without powerful oracles.

Market analysts following what to invest in crypto have made optimistic predictions about MUTM in case the model is scaled well. In a bullish view, there are analysts who feel that Mutuum Finance would rise 400% to 700% above its predicted launch price as soon as it can be utilized and the fee flow generates buybacks. 

Such an increase would still bring MUTM way below the $1 level where valuations can be done over the long term. Bigger projections are more aggressive as it is projected to move into the top 20 market cap by 2027 in case of increased revenue and faster exchange listing.

V1 Protocol Launch & Why It Matters

As per official X announcement, V1 will be deployed to the Sepolia testnet before going to mainnet. This is an important stage that will move Mutuum Finance to working protocol. As noted by many investors, token revaluations that occur in DeFi tend to start when products have started operational, and not when they are in presale phases.

The increases involving whale allocations have been observed in past presale phases that some analysts perceive to be a confidence signal. Whales are likely to venture into projects in which they anticipate the formation of liquidity and long term price discovery can be realized. To investors who are required to know which crypto to purchase today to be exposed to the long-term, utility, and good token economics tend to be more important than short-term hype.

This presale data, revenue connection, protocol structure and future V1 introduction has placed Mutuum Finance as a low-price crypto to follow in the new cycle. Provided the adoption process goes on schedule, the analysts believe that its value under $1 will have a much different appearance by 2027.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Platforms like Avalanche are making strategic moves, such as its focus on real-world payments and rewards, and reaching a 5 million token burn milestone. As AVAX trades around $14.72, it highlights a market that values tangible utility. While this is great for the industry, it also means the days of explosive growth for early projects are becoming rare. This is why forward-thinking investors are turning to GeeFi, a high-utility decentralized wallet ecosystem that has already raised over $2.6 million in its presale and offers a ground-floor entry point.

GeeFi is building a comprehensive financial application centered on security, user experience, and real-world value. With its presale now entering the final stage of Phase 3, it presents an investment opportunity that is both timely and powerful.

A Secure and Private Decentralized Wallet

In an environment where asset security is paramount, GeeFi delivers a robust solution. The team has rolled out a major update to its decentralized wallet, integrating enhanced encryption and superior privacy features. This design gives users absolute control and sovereignty over their funds, eliminating the risks associated with centralized platforms. By building a secure and trusted environment, GeeFi is becoming the go-to platform for managing crypto assets with peace of mind.

Final Opportunity: Phase 3 Presale Is 90% Sold

The chance to invest in GeeFi at its current presale price is quickly disappearing. The presale is structured in multiple phases, with the token price increasing at each new stage. Phase 3 has already seen 90% of its token allocation sold, signaling immense investor confidence and placing it in its final stage. Those who act now can secure their tokens at the lowest possible price before the next inevitable increase, maximizing their potential returns.

A Clear Roadmap to Impressive Returns

GeeFi’s investment case is defined by powerful and transparent numbers. During this presale phase, the $GEE token is priced at just $0.10. However, the confirmed listing price for its public debut is $0.40, which locks in a 300% gain, a 4x return, for early backers from day one.

The long-term outlook is even more compelling. Analysts are projecting the $GEE token’s value will climb to $3.00 and beyond as the full ecosystem launches. An investment of just $1,000 today would acquire 10,000 $GEE tokens. At the projected $3.00 price point, that initial investment would grow to $30,000, showcasing the project’s significant wealth-building potential.

Boosting Gains with Community Rewards

GeeFi’s ecosystem is built to reward its community. The team recently announced on X an upcoming bonus program designed specifically to provide extra value for early investors. This initiative adds another layer of financial incentive on top of the already impressive ROI.

Furthermore, the platform offers powerful ways to generate passive income. A staking feature allows token holders to lock their $GEE and earn a steady yield. The platform also includes a lucrative 5% referral system, rewarding users directly for bringing new members into the growing GeeFi community. These features encourage long-term holding and active participation.

More Than a Wallet: A Complete Financial Hub

GeeFi’s ambition goes far beyond simple asset storage. The funds raised are being used to fast-track the development of a native Decentralized Exchange (DEX) and GeeFi-branded Crypto Cards. The DEX will enable seamless token swaps directly within the app, while the Crypto Cards will allow users to spend their digital assets on everyday purchases. This transforms GeeFi into a comprehensive financial tool, bridging the gap between crypto and real-world commerce.

Conclusion

While market leaders like Avalanche continue to build, the most exciting growth stories often come from innovative projects like GeeFi. With its unwavering focus on security, a rapidly selling-out presale, and a clear roadmap, GeeFi is a standout investment. The current $0.10 price is an entry point that will not last much longer.

Learn More

Website – geefi.io

Buy $GEE Token – hub.geefi.io/buy

Whitepaper – docs.geefi.io

Telegram Chat – @geefichat

Twitter/X – @GeeFiOfficial

Discord – discord.com/invite/geefi

Download App – geefi.io/download

CoinMarketCap – coinmarketcap.com/currencies/geefi/

Brian Armstrong showed up at the Capitol on Thursday to stop what he saw as a direct hit on Coinbase’s business. His goal was clear: keep the company’s stablecoin rewards alive.

Brian walked the halls himself, not sending anyone else, because a Senate committee was about to vote on a bill that could block the company from paying users rewards for holding stablecoins.

A day earlier, Brian had posted online slamming the bill. Within hours, Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott pulled it from the agenda. That single post stalled a bill that had been in the works for years.

Speaking to reporters, the Coinbase CEO said the company had several issues with the bill, but said “maybe the biggest” one was how bank lobbyists were trying to slip in rules that would shut down reward programs and make crypto platforms less competitive with banks.

Bankers pressure senators as Trump’s crypto law boosts stablecoin growth

Brian said it made no sense to keep pushing the bill forward when amendments were being considered that would kill reward payouts completely. He said he wanted lawmakers to go back and write something more balanced.

Stablecoins, which are tied to the dollar, have become a major business for companies like Coinbase. They’ve grown fast, especially after the GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump last year, started rolling out. These rewards are profitable, and people like them. But banks don’t.

Bankers and their lobbyists have been hammering senators from both parties, asking them to ban rewards that look like interest. Their fear is simple: customers will yank their money out of banks that pay close to zero and move it into stablecoins that actually give returns.

If that happens, banks lose deposits. That hits their ability to give loans, especially to small businesses using local lenders.

One draft of the bill tried to compromise by banning yield but allowing other kinds of rewards, like ones tied to spending. But some senators weren’t having it. They were ready to vote on a full ban of all stablecoin rewards, not just yield. Brian didn’t want to sit back and watch.

The crypto industry was the biggest corporate donor in the 2023-2024 election cycle. Coinbase gave $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and is helping fund his White House ballroom project.

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Crypto stocks are getting crushed today. The biggest drops are coming from Circle, Robinhood, Coinbase, and Strategy. Circle is down 9.67%. Robinhood dropped 7.78%. Coinbase sank 6.49%. Strategy lost 4.68%.

The panic started after a total collapse in Washington. There was a major crypto bill scheduled for a Senate vote. That was supposed to happen on Thursday. It would’ve been a big deal for the entire market. But late Wednesday night, Coinbase CEO Brian said:-

“Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written. This version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

Hours later, the Senate Banking Committee pulled the whole thing.

Congress delay of crypto market structure legislation hits related stocks

Circle, which had made something of a history on Wall Street last year, dropped to $76.60 with $1.2 billion traded. Coinbase fell to $239.26 on $83.4 million volume. Robinhood crashed to $110.36. Strategy dropped to $170.93. Between them, more than $20 billion vanished.

The rest of the crypto sector went down too. Exodus dropped the most at 11.09%. Bitmine lost 5.48%. CleanSpark was down 4.42%. Riot Platforms fell 4.33%. MARA, Bitfarms, Bullish, and Canaan all took hits between 3% and 6%. PayPal, Block, SharpLink, Metaplanet, Hut 8, Neptune, and GREE all fell too. Nothing held up.

Even Exodus, with just $44K in daily trades, got caught in the selloff. Meliuz dropped 6.03%. American Bitcoin Corp fell 4.26%. Gemini, Bit Digital, and Semler Scientific also went red. CIFR, PRE, BOYAF, MARA, and MTPLF all turned negative.

Earlier this week, Bitcoin jumped from $90,000 to a two-month high, just as there were rumors about the U.S. getting involved in Iran. Over $1.7 billion poured into bitcoin ETFs in just three days, the longest inflow streak in months.

But now, that’s done too. Signs came out that the U.S. wasn’t going to touch Iran. That killed the rally. Traders pulled out. Stocks fell. No real buyers showed up. The ones who got in earlier this week are now running for the exit.

Some stocks held up. Galaxy Digital popped 13.46%, trading over $849 million. Bitdeer rose 3.39%. Nexon and Net Holding also went green. But those are the few exceptions. Most crypto names are getting crushed today.

The Dow somehow closed higher, up 292 points to 49,442. S&P 500 ended at 6,944, and the Nasdaq finished at 23,530. But none of that helped crypto stocks. They’re in their own world today, and that world is bleeding.

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The United States and Taiwan have signed a new trade deal to bring chip manufacturing directly onto American soil, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

As part of the agreement, Taiwanese chip and tech companies will invest at least $250 billion into U.S. production.

On top of that, Taiwan’s government will guarantee another $250 billion in credit to back those companies.

In return, the U.S. will cut reciprocal tariffs on Taiwan from 20% to 15%. Tariffs will drop to zero for generic drugs, their ingredients, aircraft parts, and a few natural materials.

These changes are meant to push Taiwan-based firms to start building and expanding inside the U.S. instead of just exporting from Asia.

TSMC buys land for new expansion in Arizona

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is already ahead. The company bought more land next to its existing site in Arizona, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

“They just bought hundreds of acres adjacent to their property,” Howard said. “I’ll let them go through with their board and give them time.”

That land could soon turn into more chip factories, adding to what TSMC has already built in the state. The company has already spent up to $40 billion in Arizona to produce chips for Apple, Nvidia, and others, using grants under the CHIPS Act.

New factories being built by Taiwan companies in the U.S. will also get special treatment under Section 232 tariff rules. While under construction, they’ll be allowed to import 2.5 times their planned capacity without paying tariffs.

Once the sites go live, they’ll still be allowed to bring in 1.5 times their U.S. output without facing import taxes.

Section 232 exceptions will also apply to Taiwanese auto parts, wood products, and other related goods, keeping them under the 15% tariff limit.

This is all part of a broader plan to create long-term certainty for companies, especially those dealing with the back-and-forth policy swings from the Trump administration over the past year.

U.S. threatens 100% tariff for non-participating Taiwan firms

Howard made it clear that Taiwanese companies that refuse to build in the U.S. are not going to get off easy.

“That’s what they get if they don’t build in America, the tariff’s likely to be 100%,” he said. The government wants 40% of Taiwan’s chip supply chain moved to the U.S. as fast as possible.

The deal doesn’t stop TSMC or others from making chips in Taiwan for American companies. But if they choose to stay put and not expand here, they’ll face tough import costs. This is Washington’s way of using tariffs as a stick while holding out a very big carrot.

The pressure also comes with growing fear in D.C. about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.U.S. officials have warned that any cut-off from TSMC would leave the American economy exposed.

The race to secure access to AI chips has made this even more urgent. “We’re going to bring it all over so we become self-sufficient in the capacity of building semiconductors,” Howard said.

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Russia’s monetary authority intends to oblige commercial banks to provide detailed reports on their customers’ transactions related to cryptocurrency.

The policy is part of new reporting requirements that concern all cross-border transfers made by Russians and comes ahead of the full regulation of the crypto market planned for this year.

Bank of Russia wants to know more about citizens’ crypto activities

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is preparing amendments to the reporting rules for financial institutions regarding money transfers initiated by private individuals.

The upcoming requirements will also apply to banking operations related to cryptocurrency, local media revealed this week, quoting a draft regulation released by the authority.

It will compel banks to share comprehensive information about almost all international monetary transactions conducted by Russian citizens, the crypto news outlet Bits.media wrote on Thursday.

The items listed in the document include the status of both the sender and the receiver – it should be clear whether they are residents of the Russian Federation or another jurisdiction.

The exact method used to transfer the funds, the intermediary employed to process the transaction, as well as the fees charged, must be known.

The transaction’s type and source, which may include cash, a bank account, credit or debit card, and other electronic means, shall be stated, too.

Furthermore, purchases and sales of cryptocurrency will have to be reported separately, the Interfax news agency noted in its report on the changes.

A dedicated column will also be devoted to data on deals involving digital rights or tokenized real assets like securities and precious metals, as defined in the Russian law “On Digital Financial Assets” (DFAs), and similar instruments such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Besides investments and transfers of digital currencies and assets, purchases of video games and payments for computer, insurance, and communication services, among others, will also be recorded and reported in more detail.

Reporting standards update spurred by new economic phenomena

The Bank of Russia explains the reform in its reporting rules with the need to reflect new economic phenomena in the nation’s balance of payments, international investment position, and external debt.

Transactions and proceeds related to cryptocurrency mining, which was recognized as a legitimate industrial activity and regulated in late 2024, provide one such example.

In December 2025, a member of the Kremlin administration noted that income generated in the sector is already significant enough to consider it a “hidden export,” influencing the country’s currency market.

The high-ranking aide to President Putin suggested adding it to the balance of payments. The head of the Russian central bank later admitted the industry is actually making the ruble stronger.

The authorities in Moscow now want to properly regulate other crypto-related activities as well, like crypto investment and trading.

In late December, the CBR published the highlights of its new regulatory concept for the market, as reported by Cryptopolitan.

The plan is to grant digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum the status of “monetary assets” and expand investor access to include ordinary Russians.

Ahead of the adoption of the already drafted legislation, which is expected by the summer, the central bank also intends to conduct a thorough analysis of the financial market to identify crypto-linked transactions.

The probe will cover several banks, which will be asked to provide information on their investments in digital assets and lending to crypto companies.

The main goal of the study is to determine the extent to which Russia’s regulated institutions are exposed to cryptocurrencies. The monetary policy regulator announced in October that it will allow commercial banks to work with crypto assets.

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In just the last 30 days, retail traders have shoved over $920 million into silver-linked ETFs. That’s the biggest ever. The two big names getting all the action are iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ).

Every single day, more retail cash piles in. SLV has now had 169 straight sessions of inflows.

Ashwin Bhakre from VandaTrack, the firm tracking all this madness, called it “unprecedented.”On Wednesday, SLV recorded its second-highest day of net buying ever.

Trump backs off tariffs as silver hits all-time high

Silver surged by over 20% in four days, hitting another record high of $94 on Wednesday before crashing 7.3% on Thursday as some people took profits.

The rally came while everyone waited on President Donald Trump to decide whether to hit critical minerals like silver and platinum with new tariffs. Instead, Trump said no to sweeping tariffs. He’s going for one-on-one talks with countries and might push price floors instead. That announcement came after months of security reviews over mineral imports.

Just the fear of tariffs had already locked up supply. Warehouses in the U.S. have been holding more silver, waiting. That started a massive short squeeze last year, and it’s still messing with supply in 2026.

Last year, silver crushed gold, jumping nearly 150%. People moved out of gold when it got too pricey and looked at silver instead. At the same time, demand from the solar industry helped push prices even higher. And then traders in China went wild and added more fuel to the fire.

Ashwin said silver has more momentum now than gold and crypto combined. He also pointed out that inflows this year are already more than twice the three-month average. “This isn’t just a meme-stock spike. We are witnessing a structural accumulation.”

Christopher Wong from Oversea-Chinese Banking Group said the outlook is still strong in the medium term. He pointed to tight supply, steady industrial demand, and people still buying gold. But he did throw in a warning. “The velocity of recent moves warrants some near-term caution.”

This week, it wasn’t just silver. A wave of money hit commodities across the board. Tin, copper, and gold all hit record levels. The Trump administration, ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, played a part. So did chaos overseas. The U.S. grabbed Venezuela’s leader, talked about seizing Greenland again, and things are heating up around Iran. All that chaos? It’s only pushing more people toward silver.

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