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A promising DOGE setup could now be in motion, but a strong confluence of resistance stands as the proving grounds for Bullish Dogecoin price predictions.

This week has confirmed a higher low and a potential fresh uptrend taking root, yet the meme coin’s real test lies ahead as two historically decisive trendlines converge overhead: the 200-day EMA and $0.17.

The 200-day EMA acted as a reliable price floor during the mid-2025 bull run, until the October 10, $19 billion market-wide liquidation event turned it into a ceiling.

DOGE / USD 1-day chart – 200-day EMA and $0.17 Demand Zone converge. Source: TradingView.

That pressure now aligns with $0.17, a former demand zone that repeatedly marked local bottoms over the past year.

If DOGE can reclaim both levels as support, historical precedent suggests momentum could accelerate, confirming a decisive shift back into a long-term bullish trend.

Dogecoin Price Prediction: The Next Bull Run Could Follow

This week’s higher low represents confirmation of a 5-month brewing flailing wedge breakout, with the former upper boundary now flipping cleanly into support.

A breakout push can now be realised, and momentum indicators are backing the move.

DOGE / USD 1-day chart – falling wedge breakout confirmed. Source: TradingView.

The RSI has established a floor along the 50 neutral line as buyers continue to dictate price action, while the MACD has narrowly avoided a death cross and is rebuilding strength above the signal line.

The uptrend is showing real staying power.

If the overhead confluence of resistance can once again prove support, the wedge targets a return to November highs around $0.20, a 50% upside from current levels.

And as the bull market matures and capital rotates further into meme coins, Dogecoin could extend the move toward its 2025 highs near $0.30, marking a potential 110% gain.

Maxi Doge: DOGE Eyes Bull Run, This Coin Eyes Parabolic Run

When capital rotates back into meme coins, it almost always gravitates toward one theme: Doge.

History makes the pattern clear. Dogecoin set the tone, Shiba Inu carried the momentum in 2021, followed by Floki, Bonk, Dogwifhat, and Neiro. Every bull cycle eventually delivers a parabolic new Doge-inspired runner.

This time around, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is tapping into those early Dogecoin vibes, creating a community built around trading ideas, shared alpha, and early opportunities.

Participation is at its core. Weekly Maxi Ripped and Maxi Pump competitions reward top performers with leaderboard recognition, incentives, and bragging rights.

That hype is already translating into numbers. The $MAXI presale is approaching $4.5 million, with early backers earning up to 69% APY through staking rewards.

For those who missed the Doge wave before, Maxi Doge could be the next chance to catch a meme coin breakout before it takes off.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post Dogecoin Price Prediction: DOGE Chart Looks Extremely Bullish – But One Critical Level Still Stands in the Way appeared first on Cryptonews.

SOL may no longer be treated as a secondary “altcoin” in the eyes of U.S. laws, as a new bill aims to place it right next to Bitcoin.

This favors a bullish Solana price prediction at a point when Wall Street’s appetite for cryptos seems to be growing.

Congress has been discussing the Clarity Act to provide crypto companies with much clearer rules to promote their projects to investors.

A rule in the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act would classify tokens that are the primary assets of ETFs as 'non-ancillary' assets as of Jan 1.$XRP $LTC $HBAR $DOGE $SOL & $LINK would be equal to Bitcoin & $ETH. pic.twitter.com/dVEOEJUdV0

— ALLINCRYPTO (@RealAllinCrypto) January 13, 2026

One of the key proposals within the bill includes a provision that gives SOL, DOGE, and XRP the same treatment as BTC and ETH as “non-ancillary” assets.

Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology is accelerating lately. In addition, investors have been piling into Solana’s recently launched ETFs, pushing the combined value of their assets to $1.2 billion, as per data from SoSoValue.

If lawmakers pass the Clarity Act and Solana gets this special treatment, it would boost the project’s credibility, which will likely persuade investors who are still on the sidelines.

Solana Price Prediction: SOL Forms Bullish Pattern and Eyes 17% Gain

The 4-hour chart shows that a bullish pattern called a “cup and handle” has formed lately, setting the stage for an explosive move that could push SOL to $168 over the next few days.

Source: TradingView

The project has already broken above the pattern’s neckline, which confirms its bullish bias. Trading volumes rose once the breakout occurred, confirming its technical relevance as well.

The price may hover near this $140 support level, but will likely start to climb toward its target if positive momentum resumes.

If that’s the case, SOL would be offering a 17% upside potential at the time of writing. That said, the price must stay above $140 to keep the pattern alive.

Solana’s ecosystem has also been growing lately. A top crypto presale called Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) plans to leverage this blockchain’s efficient architecture to launch the first real Bitcoin L2 and has raised over $30 million to make it happen.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) Presale Surges Past $30M as It Brings Solana-Level Speed to Bitcoin

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a new presale project transforming what Bitcoin can do by introducing the first true Layer-2 powered by Solana’s fast and efficient technology.

For the first time, BTC holders will be able to stake, lend, earn yield, and use decentralized apps without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem.

By solving the long-standing issues of speed, high fees, and lack of smart contract support, $HYPER is creating a foundation where DeFi, NFTs, and real utility can finally thrive on Bitcoin.

This vision is already gaining serious momentum. The presale has raised over $30 million, with growing support from wallets and rising interest across the crypto space.

How to Buy $HYPER Before Listings Go Live

To get in early, visit the official Bitcoin Hyper website and connect any compatible wallet such as Best Wallet.

You can swap USDT or SOL for $HYPER, or use a bank card to complete your purchase in seconds.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Solana Price Prediction: New Crypto Bill Could Give SOL Same Legal Status as Bitcoin – Are Institutions Coming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Those looking to stockpile the best crypto ahead of the next bull run may have a limited window to do so at attractive prices.

A more crypto-friendly U.S. administration has raised expectations that clearer rules could finally emerge.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s dominance of the total crypto market has diminished since summer. That means if altseason lands, XRP, Dogecoin, and Solana will likely be winners.

XRP (XRP): Payments-Focused Blockchain Targets Fresh Q1 Momentum

Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) remains the largest cryptocurrency built specifically for cross-border payments, with a market capitalization exceeding $128.5 billion. The network is designed to deliver near-instant transactions at a fraction of the cost of alternative systems.

At its core, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is aimed at banks and financial institutions, positioning itself as a streamlined alternative to the slow and costly SWIFT.

Ripple’s technology has attracted attention from major global bodies, including the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House, underscoring growing relevance within institutional finance.

XRP surged to an all-time high (ATH) of $3.65 in mid-2025 after Ripple resolved its long-running legal battle with the SEC. Since then, the token has declined roughly 42% during an extended market downturn and is currently trading near $2.12 after declining about 1% overnight after a 4% surge yesterday.

Momentum has picked up this month following the debut of multiple spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which provide traditional investors with regulated exposure to the asset.

Additional ETF approvals, combined with improving macroeconomic conditions, could see XRP hit $5 by Q2.

Dogecoin (DOGE): Can the Pioneering Meme Coin Finally Hit $1?

Dogecoin ($DOGE), launched in 2013, remains the biggest meme coin thanks to its passionate global community. Despite starting as a parody, DOGE now wields a market capitalization of around $24.3 billion.

Its explosive rise during the 2021 bull market, fueled by endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, and Gene Simmons, cemented Dogecoin’s place in mainstream crypto culture.

Although created as a joke, Dogecoin’s deep liquidity and large market size have helped curb the extreme volatility typically associated with meme coins. Accordingly, DOGE often tracks broader market trends alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.

The long-standing slogan “Dogecoin to $1” continues to rally the Doge Army. Reaching that level in 2026 may be difficult without meaningful regulatory progress in the U.S.

If lawmakers pull their fingers out, a subsequent bull market could drive a rally from roughly $0.14 today toward $0.50 as early as spring. That would set it up to challenge its current ATH of $0.7316, set in 2021,.

Adoption is also growing. Tesla accepts DOGE for select merchandise, while major platforms like PayPal and Revolut now support Dogecoin payments.

Solana (SOL): High-Speed Blockchain Sets Sights on New Records

Solana ($SOL) continues to rank among the top smart contract platforms. Known for high throughput and low transaction costs, the network supports more than $9.2 billion in total value locked (TVL) and maintains a market capitalization above $82 billion.

The recent launch of Solana spot ETFs by firms including Grayscale and Bitwise has opened the floodgates to fresh institutional inflows, echoing the demand seen after Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF launches.

SOL is breaking out of a key support zone at its current price of $145. A short-term pullback toward $130 is possible, given the price is sailing above its 30-day moving average, but the appearance of a bullish flag formation in late 2026 hints at strong breakout potential.

Breching resistance near $250 could allow Solana to exceed its previous ATH of $293.31 before the quarter ends. Ultimately, this could propel SOL to $500 in short shrift this year.

Solana is a leading network for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, one of blockchain’s most compelling institutional use cases. Asset management giants such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have already selected Solana as the foundation for launching tokenized investment products.

Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): It Looks Like a Meme Coin, But It’s Really a Bitcoin Upgrade

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a Bitcoin layer-2 project that pairs playful visuals with serious technical ambitions. The project aims to enhance Bitcoin with faster transactions, lower fees, and advanced smart contract functionality.

Powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), Bitcoin Hyper incorporates decentralized governance and a Canonical Bridge that facilitates smooth cross-chain transfers involving Bitcoin.

The presale has already raised over $30.6 million, and analysts expect 100x potential once the token lists on exchanges. A recent Coinsult audit reported no critical vulnerabilities in the project’s smart contracts.

The HYPER token is used for transaction fees, governance voting, and staking rewards.

Presale participants can currently earn staking yields of up to 38% APY, although returns are expected to decline as more tokens are staked.

With a full launch planned for 2026, Bitcoin Hyper serves as an entry point for both long-term Bitcoin holders and new users seeking exposure to Bitcoin’s next technological era.

Visit the official presale 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 15 – XRP, Dogecoin, Solana appeared first on Cryptonews.

Alibaba’s mysterious new AI model, KIMI AI, a potential rival ChatGPT killer, predicts bold end-of-year forecasts for three major cryptocurrencies: XRP, Shiba Inu, and Bitcoin.

According to the model, the return of a full-fledged bull market, particularly one backed by clear supportive U.S. regulation, could propel these assets to fresh all-time highs (ATHs) in the next bull cycle.

Below is how Alibaba’s AI envisions these leading digital assets’ price growth during a potential 2026 bull run.

XRP (XRP): Alibaba AI Targets $8 XRP by 2027

Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) started 2026 with a bang, climbing 19% in the opening week. Over the last fortnight, XRP rose 15% from the $1.80 range to its current price of $2.12. Alibaba’s AI suggests that sustained bullish conditions could see XRP surge to $8 by 2027.

Source: Alibaba

Throughout 2025, XRP consistently ranked among the strongest-performing large-cap cryptocurrencies. In July, it notched its first new ATH in seven years, hitting $3.65 after Ripple secured a landmark win in its long-running legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

That outcome significantly reduced regulatory ambiguity around XRP and eased concerns that the SEC might classify similar altcoins as securities.

XRP’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at a neutral 58 and is trading above its 30-day moving average, which indicates a small dip is likely incoming, but the token enjoys strong psychological support at $2, giving it a launchpad for a decisive breakout.

Reaching Alibaba’s $8 target would require substantial upside, however, as XRP would need to rally approximately 277% from today’s price.

Momentum has been bolstered by the launch of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S., which are attracting institutional capital in much the same way that earlier Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs did.

Shiba Inu (SHIB): Alibaba AI Sees SHIB Surging Past ATH by Almost 8,000%

Shiba Inu ($SHIB), introduced in 2020 as a tongue-in-cheek alternative to Dogecoin, has evolved into a major crypto asset with a market capitalization above $5 billion.

Trading at approximately $0.000008562, SHIB has jumped 22% over the past fortnight, outperforming Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Dogecoin over the same timeframe.

Alibaba’s AI predicts that a breakout above resistance at $0.000025 could ignite a powerful rally, potentially lifting SHIB to $0.00067 by year-end. That move would represent a roughly 7,725% increase from current prices and far exceed its previous ATH of $0.00008616, set in October 2021.

Beyond price action, the Shiba Inu ecosystem continues to expand. Its Layer-2 solution, Shibarium, delivers faster transactions, lower fees, enhanced privacy, and improved tooling for developers, features that differentiate SHIB from many meme coins with little real utility.

Bitcoin (BTC): Alibaba AI Forecasts a Run to $350,000

Bitcoin ($BTC), the world’s largest cryptocurrency, reached an ATH of $126,080 on October 6. Looking ahead, Alibaba’s AI model forecasts a dramatic climb toward $250,000, effectively doubling its previous peak.

Often viewed as a digital store of value akin to gold, Bitcoin remains attractive to both institutional and retail investors seeking a hedge against inflation and broader economic uncertainty.

BTC accounts for more than $1.9 trillion of the $3.37 trillion total crypto market and currently trades for $96,760.

With inflation showing signs of cooling and regulatory clarity improving in the U.S., the AI suggests Bitcoin could print a new ATH as early as summer.

If U.S. policymakers follow through with clearer crypto regulations and move forward with plans for a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Bitcoin’s long-term upside could extend even further.

Maxi Doge (MAXI): High-Risk Meme Coin Bet With Explosive Upside

Finally, for those looking for the next big thing, the presale market offers a plethora of projects that are currently flying under KIMI AI’s radar.

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is one of January’s most discussed presales, raising around $4.5 million ahead of its expected exchange listing.

The project puts a bold, muscle-bound twist on the classic Dogecoin mascot. Loud, brash, and intentionally over-the-top, Maxi Doge leans into the chaotic energy that once defined meme coin culture.

After years of watching DOGE dominate from the sidelines, Maxi Doge is rallying a degen community fueled by memes, aggressive trading strategies, and a high tolerance for volatility.

MAXI is an ERC-20 token built on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake blockchain, giving it a lower environmental footprint compared to Dogecoin’s proof-of-work design.

The current presale phase offers staking rewards of up to 69% APY, though returns decline as more participants join. MAXI is priced at $0.0002785 in the latest round, with automatic price increases scheduled for future stages. Tokens can be purchased via MetaMask or Best Wallet.

Maxi is sending Dogecoin back to the kennel with his tail between his legs!

Stay updated through Maxi Doge’s official X and Telegram pages.

Visit the Official Website Here

The post China’s Alibaba AI Predicts the Price of XRP, Shiba Inu and Bitcoin By the End of 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Pump.fun has rolled out a new social feature that is already stirring debate across Solana’s meme coin scene, after founder Alon Cohen said he would personally use it to “call” a low market cap token as a live test.

The update arrives at a time when interest in ultra-low-cap launches remains high, even as volatility, account security concerns, and past pump-and-dump episodes continue to shape user behavior.

On Tuesday, Pump.fun announced that “callouts” are now live inside its mobile app, with a feature that allows users to alert all of their followers about a specific coin through push notifications.

callouts are here!

– call a coin once every 6 hours
– alert ALL of your followers via push notifications
– level up on the global caller leaderboard

it's time to win with the pump fun mobile app, download now pic.twitter.com/Zc9OlJt8Gg

— Pump.fun (@Pumpfun) January 15, 2026

Each account can make one call every six hours, and users are ranked on a global leaderboard that tracks activity and engagement.

Pump.fun Callouts Draw Attention and Questions

Users who actively make calls are ranked on a global leaderboard, adding a competitive layer that ties visibility to engagement.

Pump.fun says the feature is meant to help surface coins earlier in their lifecycle, particularly within its bonding curve system, where prices rise as demand increases.

Shortly after the launch, Cohen said the mobile app would become a major focus for Pump.fun in the coming months.

so much more coming for the mobile app in the coming weeks and months! it will be a MAJOR focus for us moving forward.

to test this feature, I will be calling a $14k market cap coin later today

noti's on! https://t.co/SfKuhAw1G2

— alon (@a1lon9) January 15, 2026

He also warned users to follow only his verified Pump.fun account, “alonalon,” amid concerns about impersonation.

According to on-chain data visible on the platform, the account holds just over $112,000 in assets, including SOL and several meme tokens, has more than 11,500 followers, follows no other users, and has never launched a coin.

The announcement immediately triggered speculation among traders, with some framing the test call as a potential catalyst for outsized gains.

A high-profile callout, especially from the platform’s founder, can therefore draw attention and liquidity very quickly, even if only briefly.

At the same time, some traders are questioning whether the account could be compromised or whether the test call might resemble past influencer-driven pumps.

Those concerns are rooted in recent history, as Pump.fun’s main X account was hacked in February 2025 and used to promote fake tokens.

Later that year, Cohen’s personal X account was temporarily suspended alongside the project account before being restored, although that incident was attributed to platform enforcement rather than a confirmed hack.

The suspension of @pumpdotfun on X comes as the platform plots a $1 billion token sale — but there are bigger problems too#Memecoins #Cryptohttps://t.co/hQxIqknVce

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 17, 2025

However, there is no public record of Cohen’s Pump.fun account being compromised.

Speculation Stays Hot as Pump.fun Rebuilds Its Meme Economy

Pump.fun’s callout feature also arrives alongside deeper structural changes to the platform.

In recent days, the company rolled out new creator tools and shifted away from its previous dynamic fee model, allowing token creators to now split fees across multiple wallets, transfer ownership after launch, and revoke update authority to signal long-term commitment.

@Pump.fun introduces creator fee sharing to fix incentive issues for teams and curb risky, low-effort coin launches.https://t.co/Jrd1XOUZWu

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 9, 2026

The changes followed internal findings that earlier fee mechanics encouraged mass token creation without sustaining trading activity. The new direction places more emphasis on market participation and creator accountability.

Despite the risks, usage data shows Pump.fun remains one of the most active meme coin launchpads in crypto.

In the past 24 hours alone, over 30,000 new tokens were launched, with just over 200 reaching graduation. Trading volume during that period exceeded $113 million, and daily active wallets have roughly doubled over the past week, pointing to renewed speculative interest.

Source: Dune/adam_tehc

The Pump.fun token itself has seen mixed market conditions, as its token PUMP is currently trading around $0.0027, down about 7% on the day and roughly 69% below its all-time high.

Trading volume for the token has also declined modestly over the last 24 hours, reflecting broader cooldowns across the meme coin market.

The post Pump.fun CEO to Call Low-Cap Gem to Test New ‘Callouts’ Feature — Is a 100x Incoming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Cybersecurity researchers are becoming interested in a newly discovered ransomware strain called DeadLock that abuses Polygon smart contracts to silently service its infrastructure and bypass conventional detection tools, as a recent report by threat intelligence firm Group-IB depicts.

DeadLock, first observed in July 2025, has so far remained largely under the radar because it does not have a publicly facing affiliate program, it does not have a data leak site, and its victims have been connected to comparatively few confirmed victims.

DeadLock Ransomware: When Blockchain Meets Cybercrime

Group-IB has uncovered a sophisticated new threat rewriting the ransomware playbook. DeadLock leverages Polygon smart contracts to rotate proxy addresses, a stealthy, under-reported technique that bypasses traditional… pic.twitter.com/rlPu9gZd5F

— Group-IB Global (@GroupIB) January 15, 2026

That profile, however, covers a more technologically sophisticated strategy that researchers believe is showing a more global change in the way cybercriminals are using public blockchains for criminal ends.

How DeadLock Hides Ransomware Infrastructure Inside Polygon Smart Contracts

Group-IB’s analysis shows that DeadLock uses smart contracts deployed on the Polygon network to store and rotate proxy server addresses.

These proxies act as intermediaries between infected systems and the ransomware operators, allowing command-and-control traffic to shift endpoints without relying on centralized infrastructure that can be seized or blocked.

By querying the smart contract, the malware retrieves the current proxy address through a simple read operation that leaves no obvious transactional footprint and incurs no network cost.

Researchers said this technique mirrors earlier campaigns, such as EtherHiding, disclosed last year, in which North Korean threat actors used the Ethereum blockchain to conceal and distribute malware payloads.

In both cases, public and decentralized ledgers were turned into resilient communication channels that are difficult for defenders to disrupt. DeadLock’s use of Polygon extends that concept by embedding proxy management directly into a smart contract, allowing attackers to update infrastructure on demand.

Source: Group-IB

Once deployed, DeadLock encrypts files and appends a “.dlock” extension, alters system icons, and replaces the victim’s wallpaper with ransom instructions.

Over time, the group’s ransom notes have evolved, with early samples referencing only file encryption, while later versions explicitly stated that sensitive data had been stolen and threatened its sale if payment was not made.

The most recent ransom notes also promise “added services,” including a breakdown of how the network was breached and assurances that the victim will not be targeted again.

This Ransomware Doesn’t Just Lock Files — It Opens a Chat With Hackers

Group-IB identified at least three distinct DeadLock samples from mid-2025, each showing incremental changes in tactics.

Analysis of associated PowerShell scripts suggests the malware aggressively disables non-essential services, deletes volume shadow copies to prevent recovery, and whitelists a limited set of processes, notably including AnyDesk

Investigators believe AnyDesk is used as the primary remote access tool during attacks, a finding consistent with separate digital forensics investigations.

A key element of DeadLock’s operation is an HTML file dropped on infected systems that embeds an encrypted session messenger interface. Victims can communicate directly with attackers through this file without installing additional software.

Source: Group-IB

The embedded JavaScript retrieves proxy addresses from the Polygon smart contract, then routes encrypted messages through those servers to a session ID controlled by the ransomware operators.

Transaction analysis shows that the same wallet created multiple identical smart contracts and repeatedly updated proxy addresses by calling a function labeled “setProxy.”

The wallet was funded through an exchange-linked address shortly before the contracts were deployed, indicating deliberate preparation.

Historical tracking of these transactions allows defenders to reconstruct past proxy infrastructure, although the decentralized design complicates rapid takedown efforts.

The finding is part of an overall increase in crypto-related cybercrime, as over $3.4 billion was stolen by hacks and exploits as of early December 2025, with state-linked North Korean groups accounting for over $2 billion of that total.

The post Beware: New ‘DeadLock’ Ransomware Weaponizes Polygon Smart Contracts to Stay Invisible appeared first on Cryptonews.

XRP has started the year with some positive results and news, booking a 14% gain thus far in 2026. Three catalysts could favor a bullish XRP price prediction in the near term and could even set the stage for a “supercycle.”

This week, Ripple announced that they secured two keys license to operate as a digital payments platform in Europe.

The future of regulated digital assets payments in the UK has arrived!

Ripple has officially secured approval of both an EMI license and Cryptoasset Registration from the UK's FCA.

Who better to explain what it means than our UK and Europe Managing Director @CraddockCJ.… pic.twitter.com/q2xyeJQXEF

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 9, 2026

The first came from the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which issued an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, while Luxembourg also granted Ripple a “Green Light Letter”, which is the first step to secure a similar permit in this country.

Moreover, in the United States, the Clarity Act would prompt regulators to treat XRP in the same way as Bitcoin, granting it the status of “non-ancillary” assets.

Finally, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to the token have brought in total assets of nearly $1.6 billion in just two months, reflecting Wall Street’s growing appetite for the token.

All of these catalysts, plus a handful of bullish technical indicators, could pave the way for a strong recovery for XRP this year.

XRP Price Prediction: Rally Stalls at $2.4 But Bullish Structure Persists

The 4-hour chart shows that XRP hit a strong sell wall at $2.40 during the latest rally. Now the token seems to be finding support at the 200-period exponential moving average (EMA).

Source: TradingView

As long as that support holds, XRP’s outlook will still be bullish as it recently invalidating its bearish structure.

If the token rises past $2.24, that could ignite a rally to at least $2.50 first and then to much higher levels.

This would be an early signal that this so-called “supercycle” is getting started.

The market seems to be in a stage of accumulation ahead of the next altseason. Top crypto presales like Maxi Doge ($MAXI) will benefit once this part of the cycle starts and early investors’ support is a reflection of this.

Maxi Doge Presale Explodes Past $4 Million – Is This the Next 1000x Meme Coin Breakout?

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is a new Ethereum meme coin presale capturing the same early-stage energy that sent Dogecoin 1000x, but this time it’s backed by a real trader-focused community.

Designed for degens who want more than hype, Maxi Doge is building a space where holders share trading setups, early alpha, and overlooked opportunities before they hit the mainstream.

The project brings the fun too, with weekly competitions like Maxi Ripped and Maxi Gains, where top traders showcase their biggest Ws and earn rewards and recognition.

Holders can also stake $MAXI and earn up to 70% APY, combining passive income with a highly engaged trading ecosystem.

With over $4 million raised and meme coin momentum returning, Maxi Doge is shaping up to be one of the top presales this cycle.

How to Buy $MAXI Before It Lists on Exchanges

Head to the official Maxi Doge website and connect a compatible wallet like Best Wallet.

You can swap ETH or USDT, or use a bank card to complete your purchase in just a few seconds.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post XRP Price Prediction: 3 Quiet Catalysts Are Lining Up – Supercycle Starting? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin has confirmed its strength after breaking through the $94,200 resistance level and nearing the 50-week EMA at $97,200 for the first time in 3 months.

This bullish movement has shifted the Bitcoin price prediction toward a $100,000 breakout before the end of January.

Bitcoin VDD Indicator Shows Long-Term Holders Not Selling

According to on-chain insights shared by Carmelo Alemán, a verified blockchain analyst at CryptoQuant, Bitcoin’s Value Days Destroyed (VDD) indicator, which provides a direct reading of long-term holder behavior, suggests that the recent rally still has room to run.

The VDD metric calculates the number of days bitcoins remained inactive before being moved, weighted by the amount transferred.

Bitcoin Breaks Resistance as Holders Refuse to Sell

“Historically, when Bitcoin’s price rises while VDD remains low, the market tends to be in a healthy expansion phase, where demand absorbs the available supply without generating structural selling pressure.” – By @oro_crypto pic.twitter.com/soss3JTgU0

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 15, 2026

Currently, VDD stands at approximately 0.53 in January 2026, a historically low level, suggesting that bitcoins being transferred are relatively young, meaning older coins remain untouched.

Practically, this means long-term holders aren’t selling as the price rises.

“This behavior strengthens the quality of the bullish movement, as the price increase is not accompanied by distribution from the market’s most experienced capital,” Alemán explained.

Historically, when Bitcoin’s price rises while VDD remains low, the market tends to be in a healthy expansion phase, where demand absorbs available supply without generating structural selling pressure.

“In this context, the breakout above resistance and continued upward momentum are firmly supported by long-term holder inactivity, reinforcing the idea that the current move is driven by real market strength rather than fragile rebound fueled by short-term speculation,” the analyst added.

A sustained VDD increase would signal long-term holder distribution that could see Bitcoin challenge the bears’ last defense at $100,000.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Weekly Chart Shows Double-Bottom Formation

Cryptonews analysts explained recently that Bitcoin could see a rally, bringing the price well above the $100,000 psychological level, and this aligns with the technical structure on the weekly timeframe.

The 1W Bitcoin chart shows price stabilizing after a sharp corrective phase, with structure still leaning bullish despite recent volatility.

BTC trades around $95,000, having rebounded from the $86,300 region, which aligns closely with the 100-week moving average and marks a critical higher-low zone.

Source: TradingView

The clear double-bottom formation around this area suggests strong demand absorption and reinforces the notion that long-term buyers are stepping back in rather than capitulating.

From a trend perspective, Bitcoin remains above the 200-week moving average near $68,000, preserving macro bull market structure. However, price currently trades below the 20-week and 50-week moving averages, clustered around the $97,600-$98,200 zone.

This area now acts as immediate dynamic resistance, and a decisive weekly close above it would provide early confirmation that bullish momentum is returning.

The horizontal resistance bands at $103,650 and $111,600 represent the most important upside levels.

These zones previously acted as major distribution and rejection areas, making them logical breakout targets if momentum accelerates.

A break above $98,000 would likely shift sentiment decisively bullish, opening pathways for movement toward $103,000 initially, and potentially $111,000 if volume and momentum expand.

New Bitcoin-Beta Project Offers Investors 38% APY Ahead of BTC $100K+ Rally

A Bitcoin breakout above $100,000 would benefit established BTC-beta projects like Bitcoin Hyper positively.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) develops the first functional Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin, utilizing Solana-based technology to deliver speed and scalability while preserving Bitcoin’s security model.

The project has raised over $30 million to enable developers to launch Bitcoin-native decentralized applications, providing BTC holders new opportunities to deploy assets productively using on-chain tools built specifically for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

To acquire $HYPER before the next price increase, visit the official Bitcoin Hyper website and connect your wallet (like Best Wallet).

You can swap USDT or SOL for tokens at $0.013585, or use a bank card.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Smashes $94,200 Resistance as Selling Dries Up — $100K Loading? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Congressional Democrats have formally accused the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of operating a pay-to-play scheme in its handling of crypto enforcement cases, with particular focus on the agency’s treatment of Tron founder Justin Sun.

The allegations center on Sun’s substantial financial ties to the Trump family and the subsequent pause in the civil fraud case against him.

Representative Maxine Waters sent a detailed letter to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on January 15, highlighting what she describes as a “troubling” pattern of dropped enforcement actions following significant crypto industry donations to President Trump’s campaign and businesses.

The letter demands answers about whether political considerations influenced regulatory decisions.

Source: House Financial Services Committee Democrats

Financial Connections Raise Red Flags

The Democrats’ letter outlines Sun’s extensive financial relationship with Trump family ventures, noting his $75 million investment in World Liberty Financial through multiple purchases and his position as an official adviser to the project.

Sun became the top holder of Trump’s memecoin, earning an invitation to a May 2025 White House dinner for major investors.

Waters wrote that Sun’s activities “create the unmistakable appearance of a pay-to-play arrangement: a defendant to an SEC enforcement action pours tens of millions into ventures tied to the President’s family, and shortly thereafter his case is stayed.“

The letter emphasizes that crypto companies donated at least $85 million to Trump’s reelection campaign, with firms like Coinbase, Kraken, and Ripple contributing at least $1 million each to his inauguration.

Coinbase, the largest crypto exchange in the United States, has announced a donation of $25 million to the pro-crypto super PAC Fairshake.#Coinbase #Fairshakehttps://t.co/4YOGU6AekK

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 3, 2024

The timeline proves particularly significant. The SEC filed its fraud lawsuit against Sun in March 2023, alleging he orchestrated unlawful token sales and manipulated trading volumes.

Despite building, as Waters describes, a strong case with favorable judicial rulings, the agency requested a stay in February 2025 to explore a settlement.

Strong Legal Case Put on Hold

The original SEC complaint detailed serious allegations against Sun and his companies.

Regulators claimed Sun “engineered the offer and sale of two crypto asset securities” without proper registration while directing “hundreds of thousands of TRX wash trades” that generated approximately $31 million from unsuspecting investors.

According to Waters, Judge Vernon Broderick of the Southern District of New York sustained core allegations in a parallel private class action, finding that plaintiffs plausibly alleged Sun and Tron illegally sold TRX as an unregistered security.

Several celebrities who promoted Sun’s tokens settled SEC charges and paid fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Waters emphasized the case’s strength, stating “the SEC’s case was not speculative or marginal—it was built on a rigorous investigation that resulted in detailed allegations of systematic securities violations confirmed by judicial rulings and co-defendant settlements.“

No adverse rulings had impaired the SEC’s position before the stay.

Broader Enforcement Retreat Questioned

Beyond the Sun case, Democrats expressed alarm over the SEC’s dismissal of major enforcement actions against Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.

The agency dropped its Binance case in May 2025 “as an exercise of discretion” despite favorable court rulings, while Coinbase and Kraken cases ended through joint stipulations citing the agency’s “ongoing efforts to reform its regulatory approach.“

Waters wrote that “the unjustified decision by the SEC to walk away from these and other meritorious enforcement cases against crypto firms has created the unmistakable inference of a pay-to-play scheme.“

She warned that this retreat “has left a vacuum whereby securities violations by crypto firms are not enforced and U.S. investors are not protected.“

The letter demands that the SEC either request that the court lift the stay and litigate Sun’s case in accordance with its original complaint or reach a settlement reflecting the case’s strength.

Democrats also requested preservation and production of documents regarding any communications with third parties seeking to influence the outcome.

The controversy adds to mounting scrutiny of the SEC’s dramatic policy shift under Chairman Atkins, who assumed leadership after Trump’s inauguration.

Representative Maxine Waters calls for SEC oversight hearing as agency drops crypto enforcement cases against Coinbase and Binance under Chairman Atkins.#SEC #Cryptohttps://t.co/jrgJqAVibK

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 30, 2025

Waters had previously requested that House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill schedule oversight hearings with Atkins to examine what she characterized as the agency’s unprecedented politicization and retreat from investor protection.

The post Democrats Accuse SEC of “Pay-to-Play” in Justin Sun Case Dismissal appeared first on Cryptonews.

X’s decision to clamp down on so-called InfoFi applications has sent fresh shockwaves through the crypto market, dragging several tokens sharply lower and forcing a rethink across a niche that had grown tightly intertwined with the social media platform.

The immediate market reaction was led by KAITO, the token linked to the Kaito platform, which slid roughly 20% in a single day as investors digested what many saw as a structural threat rather than a short-term policy tweak.

X Cracks Down on Rewarded Posting, Shaking InfoFi Projects

The shift began with a public statement from Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, who said the company was revising its developer API rules to block applications that reward users for posting on the platform.

We are revising our developer API policies:

We will no longer allow apps that reward users for posting on X (aka “infofi”). This has led to a tremendous amount of AI slop & reply spam on the platform.

We have revoked API access from these apps, so your X experience should…

— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) January 15, 2026

Bier said that these incentives had fueled a surge in low-quality replies, automated posts, and what he described as “AI slop,” degrading the overall user experience.

X confirmed that API access had already been revoked for affected apps, with Bier adding that developers whose accounts were terminated could seek help transitioning their businesses to other platforms such as Threads or Bluesky.

The announcement landed hard in crypto circles because many InfoFi projects are built around harvesting, analyzing, and monetizing X data.

Platforms like Kaito aggregate posts from large crypto accounts to identify trending narratives and then reward users, often in tokens, for producing content or engagement. That model left them exposed to any restriction on API access or posting incentives.

While X has not declared an outright ban on InfoFi as a category, the practical effect of cutting off rewarded posting has been to disrupt the core mechanics of several projects overnight.

Market data reflected that shock as KAITO token fell from around $0.70 to about $0.57 within hours, down roughly 17% to 20% on the day, while trading volume jumped nearly 87% to more than $121 million, suggesting forced repositioning rather than thin liquidity.

Source: Coingecko

The token now trades more than 80% below its all-time high of $2.88.

Cookie DAO’s COOKIE token followed a similar path, dropping more than 20% in 24 hours to roughly $0.038, with volume also rising, a sign that holders were reassessing exposure as uncertainty spread.

Source: Coingecko

Kaito, Cookie, Xeet Rethink structure After X Policy Shift

Behind the price action lies a deeper debate about whether InfoFi’s incentive structures were sustainable.

Critics had long argued that paying users to post encouraged attention farming and automated content, an accusation that gained credibility as timelines filled with repetitive, AI-generated replies.

Following the announcement, Kaito founder Yu Hu said the company would sunset its “Yaps” and open incentive leaderboards, replacing them with Kaito Studio, a more selective, tier-based marketing platform designed to work across X, YouTube, TikTok, and other channels.

https://t.co/K1J71SYCpy

— Yu Hu (@Punk9277) January 15, 2026

Hu framed the shift as an alignment with both X’s policies and brands’ growing preference for targeted campaigns over mass distribution.

Other platforms echoed that reassessment, with Cookie announcing it was shutting down its Snaps creator campaigns after discussions with X, citing the need to protect the integrity of its data products and remain compliant with platform rules.

InfoFi is changing, and it’s time to sunset Snaps.
This is our official announcement. pic.twitter.com/fUIzTZpTa8

— Cookie DAO (@cookiedotfun) January 15, 2026

Xeet, another project caught in the change, said all campaigns had been paused while it evaluated next steps and worked through outstanding payouts.

By now you have seen the latest decision from X regarding InfoFi.

While Xeet has never considered itself a a true InfoFi platform, we are obviously affected by this decision.

We have been assessing our next steps forward, and will send a communication on that soon.

In the…

— xeet (@xeetdotai) January 15, 2026

In each case, teams stressed that their broader analytics or data businesses would continue, but the rewarded-posting layer was no longer viable in its previous form.

The episode has shown how dependent large parts of crypto’s social layer remain on a single Web2 platform.

X’s use of automated moderation tools and AI-driven detection has turned it into a powerful gatekeeper, capable of reshaping entire business models with policy updates.

It has also intensified discussion about alternatives, including decentralized social networks and multi-platform strategies, as builders seek to reduce single-point risk.

The post X Bans InfoFi Projects, KAITO Plummets 20% — Is This the End? appeared first on Cryptonews.

As the Senate Banking Committee prepares to mark up new crypto market structure legislation this week, a warning from a senior Democratic senator has reignited debate over crypto’s role in the U.S. financial system and its connection to the banking failures of 2023.

The senator argues that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was not an isolated accident but an early signal of what happens when crypto-linked activity collides with an already fragile banking system.

The warning draws heavily on findings from a 292-page investigation released last September by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

How Crypto-Era Bank Runs Slipped Past Regulators Until It Was Too Late, Senator Warns

In the opinion piece on Fox News, Senator Richard Blumenthal examined the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank, all of which had received clean audits shortly before collapsing.

In racing to finish the crypto industry’s wish list, Congress should remember the lesson of Silicon Valley Bank—tech money comes fast but disappears even faster, leaving taxpayers & investors on the hook for bailouts & losses. https://t.co/oasospVEm1

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) January 15, 2026

The senator noted that those audits masked growing risks tied to fast-moving deposits, opaque exposures, and a business model increasingly influenced by crypto and venture capital flows that arrive quickly and leave even faster.

In the senator’s telling, Silicon Valley Bank’s downfall followed a familiar pattern.

During the boom years of cheap money, the bank attracted massive deposits from tech startups and venture-backed firms, including companies linked to the crypto sector.

When conditions reversed after interest rates rose and major crypto firms like FTX collapsed, confidence evaporated. Panic spread rapidly through digital channels, and withdrawals accelerated at historic speed.

Regulators ultimately stepped in to prevent wider contagion, committing up to $340 billion in emergency support. Even so, more than $54 billion in equity and bond value was wiped out.

The senator has pointed to Signature Bank as a clearer example of crypto-linked risk. Signature had actively courted digital asset firms and built a large base of crypto-related deposits.

After the FTX collapse in late 2022, those deposits flowed out en masse.

Auditors repeatedly reassured the public that risks were under control, only for the bank to be shut down months later.

For the senator, this failure illustrates how crypto’s complexity and lack of transparency can overwhelm traditional oversight before regulators can react.

Notably, concern also extends to stablecoins, which the senator describes as “digital dollars” being marketed as alternatives to bank deposits.

With the stablecoin market valued around $300 billion and projections suggesting it could quadruple by 2030, he warns that losses could be far larger if safeguards are not imposed.

Circle-issued digital dollar USDC processed $18.3 trillion worth of transactions, leading the stablecoin transaction boom that totalled $33 trillion in 2025.#StablecoinTransaction #CircleUSDC #USDThttps://t.co/8qYgLMVfmX

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 9, 2026

Since the GENIUS Act passed last summer, several major stablecoins have temporarily lost their pegs, erasing hundreds of millions of dollars in value.

How Crypto-Era Bank Runs Slipped Past Regulators Until It Was Too Late

Crypto industry figures strongly dispute that framing, as market commentators and executives argue that blaming crypto for Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse rewrites well-documented facts.

Shame on you @SenBlumenthal.

Blaming crypto for the SVB and Signature collapses is either ignorant or willfully dishonest. Those banks "failed" because of massive interest-rate risk, duration mismatches, and bad balance-sheet management – not Bitcoin, not Ethereum, not…

— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) January 15, 2026

They point to SVB’s core failure as a textbook case of interest rate mismanagement.

The bank invested heavily in long-term U.S. Treasuries when rates were low and failed to hedge that exposure.

When rates rose sharply, losses were locked in with more than 90% of deposits being uninsured and concentrated among a tightly connected tech community, making a run almost inevitable once confidence cracked.

Silvergate Bank, critics note, presents a different case, as its collapse was directly tied to crypto market volatility and the loss of trust after FTX failed.

Deposits fell by 68% in a single quarter, forcing the bank to sell assets at a $718 million loss and ultimately liquidate.

Even there, defenders of crypto argue that concentration risk and poor balance sheet resilience were decisive, with crypto acting as a catalyst rather than the underlying cause.

They also reject the idea that “digital-speed” runs are unique to crypto.

Bank runs have occurred for centuries without smartphones or blockchains. Technology accelerated the process, they say, but did not create the vulnerability.

The post Senator Warns: Crypto Threatens Banking Collapse — SVB Was Just “The Preview” appeared first on Cryptonews.

VFX Token (VFX) lives in a space that should have been built years ago. It is the bridge between crypto’s programmable infrastructure and forex’s massive, execution-first market culture. The project doesn’t present itself as a rebellion against traditional finance, nor does it lean on the usual “banks are doomed” tropes. It connects the two cultures together into a single functional Web3-powered ecosystem.

The basic idea is to act as an interface layer, making FX-linked activity easier to access and track through crypto infrastructure. However, it retains the focus on what actually matters in trading: liquidity, execution, and risk management.

Why FX Scale Changes the Conversation

Forex is a $7+ trillion-per-day market. That number matters for a simple reason: at that scale, weak models are quickly exposed. Sloppy incentives, vague mechanics, and “trust us” narratives don’t last long when the underlying market is relentless and where every mistake can lead to massive losses.

Crypto, on the other hand, has a different approach. It’s a fast-paced, innovation-driven ecosystem, where most projects monetize on narrative, momentum, and short-term attention.

VFX is trying to close that gap by connecting the two cultures, retaining the best of both worlds. It leverages open infrastructure in crypto technologies, combining it with FX liquidity and a discipline-first approach. The pitch isn’t that one replaces the other; instead, VFX says it wants to create an ecosystem that connects the two wildly different approaches into a functional system.

VFX says it is somewhat of a gateway rather than a disruptor, reducing friction with FX professionals (who usually hate grandstanding) and avoiding poking regulators and institutional observers with the usual “tear it all down” rhetoric.

What VFX Is Trying to Achieve

VFX is designed as the utility token for a forex-oriented setup that blends broker infrastructure with Web3 technology. It is not a disruptor of these markets; rather, it’s a functioning platform that offers users multiple profitable features based on real-world trading practices, combined with the power of Web3 technologies.

This is the key to VFX’s approach, as it speaks to two very different cultures that rarely share opinions:

FX-aware participants who focus on execution quality, risk controls, and transparency;

Crypto-native users who value speed, on-chain access, and composability.

The project speaks to both audiences, helping them feel at home. There are no meme-culture theatrics, no “just trust the roadmap” energy, and no empty promises. VFX is more like a system that aims to infuse forex trading practices with crypto market logic.

The Market-Linked Loop in Plain English

The project’s main feature is its reward system, which is tied directly to market activity rather than to constant token emissions and the standard crypto speculation approach. The profits come directly from rebates achieved by a licensed company that handles over $40 million in client assets.

Its parent company, Vortex FX, handles about 1,500 lots per day (roughly 30,000 lots per month). Each completed lot is assumed to receive a $5 rebate, which translates to around $150,000 in monthly revenue under that model, the team says.

From there, the profits are divided between the firm and the investor. 50% is allocated to token holders through staking rewards and token buybacks, so all profits come directly from real-world trades. Therefore, rewards are not guaranteed and depend on the broker’s success. They are then distributed downstream, ensuring that all participants get their piece of the pie. That’s exactly what the market-linked utility model looks like, and why it sets itself apart from all other Web3 projects on the market.

What Exists Today vs. What’s Still Being Built

Furthermore, VFX goes to great lengths to keep the investors informed. It offers a transparent approach to all essential features, including tokenomics, vesting, and program terms, all available in advance. Users can use the provided documentation and roadmap to monitor the project’s status in real time, removing all the guesswork.

This approach can make or break a project, especially given the FX-oriented audience’s pragmatic decision-making. No one cares about big promises you can’t keep. That’s why VFX chooses to keep everything clean rather than promise huge upgrades that cannot be put into practice, the team says.

Token Structure and Allocation

VFX says it has a fixed token supply with a well-placed distribution model designed to promote sustainability. Here are the details:

Total supply: 100,000,000 VFX

Public sale: 55% (55,000,000)

Team and advisors: 15% (15,000,000)

Staking rewards: 10% (10,000,000)

Strategic partners: 8% (8,000,000)

Liquidity pools: 7% (7,000,000)

Treasury reserve: 5% (5,000,000).

Vesting according to the official documents:

Seed and private rounds: 50% at TGE; remainder after 30 days

Public sale: 100% at TGE

Team and advisors: 24-month lock

Strategic partners: 25% at TGE; remainder over 9 months.

Therefore, the project doesn’t promote scarcity. Instead, it focuses on alignment and sustainability. Everything has been carefully crafted to promote long-term sustainability that delivers value, rather than a short-term price pump that is so prevalent in the crypto sector.

Participation: Staking, Access, and Everyday Utility

Apart from giving users a chance to earn profits through rebates, VFX also introduces a staking program in which rewards depend on the number of tokens staked and the time they are locked. In simple terms, the more tokens users stake for longer, the higher the APY they will earn. The yield varies from a minimum of 15% to as much as 67.7% if they choose to lock their tokens for an entire year.

The staking feature is therefore a core function and a participation layer within the system itself. It works in synergy with the rest of the system, providing token holders with another way to profit, the team claims.

However, that’s not all that VFX provides. The project also gives users access to no-KYC Visa cards that allow them to spend rebates and profits directly in real-world transactions. That further extends the project’s utility and consolidates all previous benefits into a tangible payment option that delivers real-world value. The plan is impressive, and given the company’s track record, VFX looks like an ideal project option for both FX and crypto traders.

Governance, Control, and Security Signals

Once you become a token holder, you will also get DAO-style governance rights, which is another step toward broader community involvement. Not only that, this feature ensures all holders are always aware of what’s happening within the VFX ecosystem. They will have a say in future decisions and receive notifications on all important milestones that will define the project’s future.

On risk, it is important to state the obvious: smart-contract, operational, and roadmap risks exist whether a project acknowledges them or not. The strongest trust signal isn’t claiming perfection; it’s consistent transparency, clean documentation, and avoiding overstatements like “fully decentralized” before that’s demonstrably true, the team says.

The Real Test

If VFX manages to deliver on its promises, it won’t be because it out-marketed the space. It’ll be because it found a way to create an interface that caters to FX-aware users who prefer clear incentives, numbers that back the claims, and real-world value, it concludes.

In the current crypto environment, where most new projects feel more like a casino with better UI, rather than a value-first project, VFX stands out as the project that can truly make a difference in the future of both markets.

Learn more:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vfx_fx/

X: https://x.com/vfxdapp

Telegram: https://t.co/jwon0nw6zP

The post VFX Token (VFX): A Practical Bridge Between Forex Scale and Crypto Infrastructure appeared first on Cryptonews.

TRON DAO said MetaMask has rolled out native support for the TRON network across both its mobile app and browser extension bringing TRON functionality directly into the popular self-custody wallet.

The move brings TRON’s infrastructure into MetaMask’s multichain environment allowing users to manage TRON-based assets and interact with TRON dApps without relying on additional wallets or complex bridging workflows.

MetaMask is developed by Consensys and is one of the most widely used wallets in the crypto ecosystem, with a growing focus on multichain access beyond Ethereum.

Unified Multichain Experience

With native TRON support, MetaMask users can now swap assets seamlessly across TRON, EVM-compatible networks, Solana, and Bitcoin from a single interface.

The integration allows users to send USDT on TRON, stake TRX, and connect directly to TRON-based decentralized applications, while benefiting from the network’s fast confirmation times and low transaction costs.

By embedding TRON directly into MetaMask, the wallet removes the need for separate extensions or third-party tools, offering a more streamlined experience for users who operate across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

The update reflects MetaMask’s broader strategy to act as a universal access point for Web3, reducing friction for users navigating an increasingly fragmented blockchain landscape.

Expanding Access to a Major Stablecoin Network

TRON has become a core settlement layer for global stablecoin activity, processing more than $21 billion in daily stablecoin transfer volume, according to data cited by the network.

Sam Elfarra, community spokesperson at TRON DAO said the integration broadens access to a blockchain that underpins real-world payment flows and DeFi activity at scale.

By making TRON available through a familiar wallet interface the integration is expected to expand participation in TRON’s ecosystem especially for users who already rely on MetaMask for asset management across other networks.

MetaMask’s Multichain Strategy

For MetaMask, native TRON support represents another step in its multichain expansion. Rizvi Haider, staff product manager at MetaMask said the update follows earlier integrations with Solana and Bitcoin, bringing more non-EVM networks into a unified user experience.

@MetaMask added native Bitcoin support, allowing users to buy, swap, and send BTC directly from the wallet.#MetaMask #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/na8C8OMCSN

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 16, 2025

The goal, according to MetaMask, is to meet users where they are by supporting the networks they actively use, while moving closer to a universal gateway for the decentralized economy. Native integrations reduce reliance on bridges and wrapped assets, which have historically introduced added complexity and risk.

Lowering Barriers to Global Web3 Adoption

TRON’s ecosystem has seen strong adoption across regions including Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where stablecoins play an important role in payments, remittances, and on-chain financial activity.

By combining TRON’s high-throughput blockchain with MetaMask’s widely adopted wallet infrastructure, the collaboration aims to lower barriers to entry for both emerging and established markets.

The integration is a broader trend toward wallet-led multichain access, as infrastructure providers seek to simplify how users interact with an expanding universe of blockchain networks and applications.

The post MetaMask Adds Native TRON Support Expanding Multichain Access appeared first on Cryptonews.

Key Takeaways:

Monero surged toward $800 after trading near $450 just a week earlier, bringing privacy coins back into focus.

Zcash’s strong rally in late 2025 helped revive interest in the privacy sector and set the stage for Monero’s move.

Monero has now overtaken Zcash in market capitalization, becoming the leading privacy coin.

Monero continues to face regulatory pressure and exchange delistings, adding extra risk to the rally.

With the broader crypto market still fragile, some traders are turning to privacy coins as an alternative play in 2026.

Monero’s price recently came close to the $800 level. Just a week ago, XMR was trading near $450. This move has brought privacy coins back into the spotlight.

Privacy coins have been part of the crypto market for a long time. At one point, many of these projects faded into the background. Interest dropped, and the sector went quiet. That changed in autumn 2025, when Zcash surprised the market.

Now, attention has shifted to Monero. For many traders, the situation feels familiar. The setup looks similar to what happened with Zcash. The key difference is that ZEC failed to hold above $1,000. The question is whether XMR can do better.

Monero Overtakes Zcash

During the summer, ZEC was trading around $30. By November, its price surged above $750. This happened while the broader crypto market was selling off after Oct. 10.

For many traders, Zcash became a safe haven. Even after corrections, the ZEC price repeatedly returned to the $450 level and above.

This renewed interest pushed privacy coins back into the conversation. Many in the crypto community began to discuss why privacy-focused projects still matter. The rally also created strong FOMO. At one point, it looked like the momentum was fading. Still, Zcash managed to hold above $400, despite claims that its price structure looked like a “Burj Khalifa” pattern. That term is often used to describe sharp rallies that end in equally sharp crashes.

Source: TradingView

Most of the top privacy coins are now posting gains. Over the past seven days, Monero’s price has risen by nearly 60%. Zcash is also higher, though more modestly, with gains of around 10%.

Another standout is Dash, which outperformed both with a 114% increase.

For now, the spotlight remains on Monero. XMR has taken the lead in the privacy sector by market capitalization. Zcash has moved into second place.

It is worth noting that Monero’s rally is happening under more favorable market conditions. Since early January, some altcoins, including meme coins, have started to recover. The gains remain selective, but sentiment is stronger than it was during Zcash’s rally in 2025.

At that time, rumors circulated that ZEC was heavily overbought. There were also claims of strong insider activity. The broader market backdrop was weaker.

The Dark Side of Monero

The past few years have not been easy for Monero. Several major centralized exchanges removed XMR from trading. Binance delisted Monero in 2024.

These decisions followed regulatory pressure in multiple countries. Monero has often been linked to money laundering allegations. Such accusations are frequently paired with concerns around terrorism financing.

Another key difference between Monero and Zcash lies in transparency. Zcash has a known team. There have even been rumors linking the project to Satoshi Nakamoto, though none are confirmed.

Monero’s founders, by contrast, remain anonymous. One name often mentioned is Nicolas van Saberhagen. Most believe this is a pseudonym. His real identity has never been established. In 2013, Nicolas van Saberhagen published the CryptoNote white paper. That protocol later became the foundation for Monero.

Community members have tried to uncover more details. A Reddit post explored possible links between CryptoNote and early Bitcoin ideas. No direct connection was found. While Satoshi Nakamoto never worked on CryptoNote, early Bitcoin discussions show that similar privacy concepts were already being explored years earlier.

Can Monero Reach $1,000?

Monero has quickly overtaken Zcash in market positioning. Part of this move is supported by stronger overall conditions. Zcash’s rally in 2025 played an important role. It showed that privacy coins were not gone. As a result, the sector regained credibility.

Several analysts now see privacy coins as one of the more interesting narratives for 2026.

With much of the crypto market still struggling, some traders view privacy coins as a defensive play. This can attract capital into the sector. Where capital flows, liquidity follows. And that often leads to sharp price moves.

Monero’s price has already approached the $800 level. On Jan. 14, it briefly touched $797.73, marking a new all-time high. This is higher than Zcash reached during its own rally.

Still, risks remain. XMR is trading near its highs. Caution is warranted. So far, 2026 has shown that the market is searching for alternatives. For now, privacy coins have once again moved to the top of the list.

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.

The post Can Monero Do Better Than Zcash as Privacy Coins Return? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has asked the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission to immediately suspend college sports prediction markets, warning that the fast-growing sector is exposing student-athletes to heightened risks and undermining the integrity of college competition.

The request targets an estimated $320 million in active college sports markets, a figure that reflects how quickly prediction platforms have expanded into territory long dominated by regulated sportsbooks.

As Prediction Markets Grow, NCAA Pushes for Safeguards

In a letter dated January 14, 2026, NCAA President Charlie Baker urged CFTC Chairman Michael Selig to halt collegiate sports prediction trading until stronger safeguards are put in place.

Source: NCAA

Baker argued that although prediction markets are often framed as financial products, many now function in practice like sports wagering.

NCAA noted that platforms are offering moneyline, spread, and total markets on college games that closely mirror traditional betting, while operating under a lighter regulatory framework.

The timing of the letter comes as prediction markets experience explosive growth. Total daily trading volume across major platforms reached a record $701.7 million on January 12, with sports accounting for a growing share of activity.

Source: Dune analysis

Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket together processed tens of billions of dollars in trades during 2025, and sports markets now represent roughly three-quarters of Kalshi’s weekly volume and nearly 40% of Polymarket’s.

In 2026, prediction models will be used to collectively decide what is true and what is not [true] and as a guide for fact-checking, analysts say. #Polymarket #Kalshi #PredictionMarkets #BTChttps://t.co/fkQeRz28Qs

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 30, 2025

That scale has drawn institutional interest, but it has also raised alarms among regulators and sports bodies.

At the center of the NCAA’s concern is student safety. Baker warned that college prediction markets often allow participants as young as 18, compared with the 21-and-over requirement in most states for sports betting.

NCAA surveys show that 58 percent of individuals aged 18 to 22 have participated in sports betting, with a significant portion reporting academic, financial, and mental health consequences.

The letter also highlighted gaps in advertising rules. While sportsbooks face restrictions on marketing to college campuses, similar limits do not consistently apply to prediction markets.

The NCAA said some students may mistakenly view prediction trading as a form of investing rather than gambling, despite the inherent unpredictability of sports outcomes.

NCAA Cites Harassment and Integrity Gaps in College Prediction Platforms

That framing, Baker argued, increases the risk of excessive participation and financial harm.

Integrity monitoring was another key issue, as the NCAA monitors more than 23,000 contests annually for suspicious activity and relies on detailed data, including bettor geolocation, to investigate irregularities.

Baker said many prediction platforms lack this level of oversight and are not required to share integrity alerts with other operators or governing bodies.

He pointed to recent efforts by prediction platforms to seek approval for markets tied to the college transfer portal as an example of activity that could create severe risks for athletes if left unchecked.

The NCAA also raised concerns about harassment, as Baker said student-athletes frequently report abuse from bettors, including online harassment tied to game outcomes.

He argued that prediction markets should be required to enforce anti-harassment measures across platforms, including banning participants who target athletes.

Harm reduction resources were also cited as missing, with the NCAA noting that many states direct sportsbook revenue toward gambling education and treatment programs on campuses, a mechanism that prediction markets do not consistently provide.

The request places the CFTC in a difficult position, as prediction markets fall under federal commodities law rather than state gambling statutes, and the agency has previously approved certain sports-related contracts.

However, the rapid growth of college-focused markets and the entry of major sports betting and fantasy operators into the space have intensified scrutiny.

The post NCAA Demands CFTC Halt $320M College Sports Betting Markets—Citing Student Safety appeared first on Cryptonews.

CoinGecko’s CEO, Bobby Ong, acknowledged on Thursday that the company is exploring “strategic opportunities” following media reports suggesting the firm is pursuing acquisition offers valued at approximately $500 million.

“After close to 12 years of developing CoinGecko as a self-funded enterprise, a common question I encounter concerns our future direction.

What I can reveal today is that CoinGecko is expanding and maintaining profitability, while witnessing heightened institutional interest as traditional finance sectors increasingly adopt cryptocurrency,” Ong stated on LinkedIn.

Media reports, attributed to sources with knowledge of the situation, revealed that CoinGecko is exploring a possible sale with an estimated valuation of $500 million.

JUST IN: According to CoinDesk, crypto market data platform @coingecko is exploring a potential sale at a valuation of around $500M and has hired investment bank Moelis to advise on the process. pic.twitter.com/D4IkyJ1jw0

— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) January 13, 2026

Moelis Tapped as CoinGecko Courts Wall Street Acquisition

Insiders indicated the company has enlisted Moelis to provide advisory services for this process, although one source emphasized it’s premature to determine a precise valuation since negotiations commenced only in late 2024.

Moelis is an established Wall Street investment banking firm specializing in strategic financial guidance across mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and capital markets for corporations, having facilitated over $5 trillion in transactions spanning various sectors.

In a post on X, Ong acknowledged receiving numerous inquiries following recent press coverage and expressed appreciation for the interest.

We’ve had a lot of questions following recent media reports, and we’re honored by the interest.@tmlee and I have been running CoinGecko for nearly 12 years, and like any growing and profitable company, we regularly evaluate strategic opportunities to strengthen our business and…

— Bobby Ong (@bobbyong) January 15, 2026

He indicated that after leading CoinGecko alongside Co-founder and President TM Lee for more than ten years, “like any growing and profitable company, we regularly evaluate strategic opportunities to strengthen our business and accelerate our mission.”

This statement suggests CoinGecko is actively pursuing acquisition opportunities and positioning the deal toward traditional Wall Street institutional buyers rather than venture capital firms.

While Ong declined to address specific negotiations, he expressed enthusiasm about “possibilities that enable us to better serve users and facilitate institutional crypto adoption.“

It’s worth noting that CoinMarketCap, another crypto market data platform, was purchased by crypto exchange Binance in 2020 for an estimated $400 million.

When announcing that acquisition, Binance clarified that while both the exchange and its BNB token were featured on the platform, “CoinMarketCap and Binance remain separate entities adhering to a strict independence policy.“

More than five years later, crypto industry observers believe a $500 million valuation for CoinGecko is reasonable, given that crypto data has become increasingly valuable and Wall Street data intelligence companies command substantially higher valuations.

For instance, Bloomberg L.P., though privately held, is estimated to be worth tens of billions, recent calculations suggest over $120 billion based on a 2008 stake transaction, with current annual revenues surpassing $13 billion as of early 2025.

$8.6B in Crypto Deals: Polygon, Fireblocks Lead 2026’s M&A Explosion

The quantity and value of mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings within the cryptocurrency space surged throughout 2025, with dealmaking hitting a record $8.6 billion as a more accommodating regulatory stance in the United States encouraged investors and financial institutions to re-enter the sector.

According to a report by the Financial Times, 267 crypto-related deals were completed in 2025, marking an 18% increase from 2024.

Total deal value surged nearly 300% compared with last year’s $2.17 billion.

Source: Architect Partners

Market participants expect momentum to carry into 2026 as regulatory clarity improves across major jurisdictions.

Already in 2026, Polygon Labs’ recently revealed plans to acquire cryptocurrency exchange Coinme and crypto wallet infrastructure provider Sequence for over $250 million.

Additionally, blockchain infrastructure firm Fireblocks announced Wednesday it acquired TRES Finance, a crypto accounting and financial reporting platform, for over $130 million to meet growing demand for “audit-ready, tax-compliant” financial documentation for blockchain-based businesses.

On January 12, Bakkt Holdings, Inc. revealed its agreement to acquire Distributed Technologies Research Ltd. (DTR), advancing its strategy to develop stablecoin settlement and programmable payment capabilities through an all-equity transaction involving shares representing 31.5% of a defined “Bakkt Share Number.”

The post CoinGecko CEO Addresses $500M Acquisition Reports appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies announced a $200 million equity investment in Beast Industries, marking a notable crossover between digital asset-focused public companies and the global creator economy.

The investment was disclosed ahead of Bitmine’s annual stockholder meeting, scheduled to take place at the Wynn Las Vegas on January 15.

@BitMNR will host a high-profile annual shareholder meeting today in Las Vegas, with @VitalikButerin and @sama expected to attend.#Bitmine #Ethereumhttps://t.co/VPBzkBZLoy

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 15, 2026

Bitmine trades on the NYSE American under the ticker BMNR, positions itself as an Ethereum treasury company and has outlined a long-term strategy centered on building institutional exposure to digital assets.

Expanding Beyond Digital Asset Treasuries

The investment in Beast Industries represents a diversification move for Bitmine, which has drawn attention for its ambition to acquire up to 5% of the total supply of Ether (ETH) over time.

The company is backed by a group of prominent institutional and strategic investors, including ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood, Founders Fund, Pantera Capital, Digital Currency Group, Galaxy Digital, Kraken, MOZAYYX, Bill Miller III, and personal investor Thomas Lee.

Bitmine said the transaction aligns with its broader strategy of combining digital asset treasury management with exposure to high-growth, culturally influential platforms.

A Bet on the Creator Economy

Beast Industries is best known as the company behind MrBeast, widely regarded as one of the most influential content creators globally. The company operates across digital media, consumer products, and brand-led ventures, with a particular focus on younger audiences including Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Thomas Lee, chairman of Bitmine, said the investment reflects confidence in Beast Industries’ scale and reach. He described the company as the leading creator-based platform of its generation, with engagement that is difficult to replicate through traditional media channels. Lee added that Bitmine sees strong alignment between its own corporate values and those of Beast Industries.

Strategic Alignment and Future Collaboration

Jeff Housenbold, chief executive officer of Beast Industries, said the investment brings additional validation to the company’s long-term vision and growth trajectory.

He noted that Bitmine’s involvement adds capital to support Beast Industries’ ambition to become the most impactful entertainment brand globally.

Housenbold also pointed to potential collaboration opportunities at the intersection of digital assets and media. Beast Industries has previously signaled interest in incorporating decentralized finance concepts into a future financial services platform, and Bitmine’s experience in digital asset strategy could play a role in that effort.

Transaction Timeline and Shareholder Focus

The deal is expected to close on or around January 19, 2026, subject to customary conditions. Bitmine’s annual stockholder meeting in Las Vegas is expected to outline further details of the company’s strategy, including its approach to Ethereum accumulation and broader capital allocation.

The investment shows a growing convergence between public market digital asset firms and the creator economy, as companies seek exposure to both blockchain-based financial infrastructure and large-scale consumer engagement platforms.

The post Bitmine Immersion to Invest $200M in Beast Industries appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies will host an unusually high-profile annual shareholder meeting today in Las Vegas, with Vitalik Buterin and Sam Altman expected to attend, according to Bitmine chair Tom Lee.

Key Takeaways:

Bitmine is seeking approval for a major share increase to keep buying Ethereum.

Tom Lee says the company’s growth depends on passing the shareholder vote.

Bitmine now ranks among the largest corporate holders of Ether.

The meeting marks the company’s first annual gathering since it began accumulating Ethereum in June 2025 and will center on a proposal to dramatically expand Bitmine’s share authorization.

Shareholders are being asked to approve an increase in the number of common shares the firm can issue, from 500 million to 50 billion.

Tom Lee Says Bitmine Share Vote Is Critical to Company’s Growth

Lee confirmed the attendance of Buterin and Altman on Wednesday while outlining why the vote is critical to Bitmine’s strategy.

“If you don’t vote in favour of increasing the shares, the company will stop growing,” Lee said during an interview on SamproTV, a South Korean media outlet.

Bitmine finances most of its Ethereum purchases by issuing and selling new shares, making shareholder approval essential to maintaining its acquisition pace.

Lee said the proposed increase is designed to prevent repeated trips back to investors for future approvals.

“We want to have enough shares so that we never have to seek another authorisation again,” he said.

The company is part of a growing group of publicly traded firms operating as digital asset treasuries, whose primary mandate is to accumulate and hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets.

Met with BitMine’s new board members ahead of the shareholder meeting.
The depth of conviction in this room about the company’s future was remarkable.
You can feel when a team truly believes in what they’re building. pic.twitter.com/ZcKnIS54D9

— Jim Kim / 김승호 (@jimkim_official) January 15, 2026

Bitmine has focused exclusively on Ethereum, the second-largest blockchain network by market value and the backbone of a large portion of decentralized finance activity.

According to the company, Bitmine has accumulated just over 4.1 million Ether, valued at roughly $13.8 billion at current prices.

The scale of those holdings places the firm among the largest corporate holders of the asset.

The presence of Buterin and Altman has added intrigue to the meeting. Altman has rarely spoken publicly about Ethereum and is more closely associated with World, a separate crypto project launched through Tools for Humanity, a company he co-founded.

Buterin, meanwhile, has not publicly commented on Bitmine despite the firm’s sizable exposure to Ethereum.

Lee and Buterin have crossed paths before, appearing together at the Token2049 conference in Singapore in October 2025.

Lee said both Buterin and Altman are expected to speak at the meeting, though the topics of their remarks have not been disclosed.

Buterin Claims Ethereum Has Solved the Blockchain Trilemma

Last week, Buterin said the Ethereum network has solved the blockchain trilemma, crossing a milestone many in crypto long viewed as unattainable.

The Ethereum mastermind argued that recent and upcoming upgrades have finally aligned decentralization, security, and scalability through code already running in production.

Meanwhile, Ethereum’s staking dynamics shifted sharply as validator exits dried up and fresh capital flowed back into long-term lockups, signaling a notable change in market behavior among large ether holders.

The post Vitalik Buterin, Sam Altman to Attend Bitmine Shareholder Vote: Tom Lee appeared first on Cryptonews.

India’s crypto industry is urging the government to reconsider punitive tax measures ahead of the Union Budget 2026, with major exchange executives calling for reforms to restore liquidity and encourage compliant onshore trading.

Industry leaders across WazirX, ZebPay, and Binance submitted pre-budget recommendations requesting reductions to the current 1% tax deducted at source on transactions and a review of the flat 30% levy on virtual digital asset gains.

The proposals emerge as India prepares its annual budget presentation scheduled for February 1, following recent regulatory tightening that introduced stricter compliance requirements for crypto platforms.

Indian tax authorities warn that crypto transactions are making income tracking and enforcement more difficult.#India #Cryptohttps://t.co/lCHCVqazUG

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 8, 2026

Executives Call for Tax Reform to Support Growing Web3 Ecosystem

Nischal Shetty, founder of WazirX, told Cryptonews that the budget presents “a clear opportunity to fine-tune a framework which supports transparency and compliance while fostering innovation.”

He argued that the current framework needs reconsideration, given how Web3 has matured globally over recent years through increased adoption and institutional participation.

“A calibrated reduction in transaction-level TDS and a review of loss set-off provisions could help restore onshore liquidity, improve compliance, and ensure that more economic activity remains within India’s regulated perimeter, without compromising oversight or enforcement,” Shetty said.

He added that clear guidelines on permissible activities and compliance standards would strengthen investor confidence and help build a sustainable digital asset ecosystem.

Raj Karkara, chief operating officer at ZebPay, also emphasized that rationalizing the 1% TDS “could meaningfully improve liquidity and encourage stronger onshore participation.“

He called for aligning the 30% flat tax with other asset classes and allowing loss set-offs to create “a more balanced and predictable investment environment.“

Karkara noted that greater policy clarity could unlock innovation-led businesses and enable India’s Web3 ecosystem to utilize its developer talent more effectively.

“A more welcoming and well-defined regulatory framework would allow India to participate more actively in the global crypto economy, align with international standards, and reinforce confidence that policy is actively guiding the sector,” he said.

Industry Seeks Policy Clarity

The budget appeals follow India’s recent implementation of stricter oversight measures for cryptocurrency platforms.

The Financial Intelligence Unit introduced enhanced Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer procedures on January 8, requiring live identity verification, comprehensive data collection including IP addresses and geolocation, and mandatory Permanent Account Number verification before any trading activity.

India has moved to tighten oversight of cryptocurrency platforms, with the Financial Intelligence Unit introducing stricter identity.#India #Cryptohttps://t.co/GI8GdGeCKS

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 12, 2026

SB Seker, head of Asia-Pacific at Binance, told Cryptonews that India’s approach should move “past the tax-and-deter regime towards a fuller license-and-supervise one.“

He proposed focusing capital gains taxation on realized profits rather than transaction-level levies, suggesting that a shift toward net-revenue-generating corporate taxes would improve fairness for retail participants.

“Clear, consistent operating standards for VDA platforms, aligned with India’s AML/KYC and investor protection priorities, will encourage responsible capital investment, create skilled jobs, and build domestic capabilities,” Seker said.

He added that India’s approach to blockchain governance, combined with its digital public infrastructure, provides a solid foundation to integrate innovation with transparency and financial inclusion objectives.

Tax Authorities Flag Enforcement Challenges Despite Strict Rules

The reform push comes as Indian tax officials warned parliamentary committees that crypto transactions are undermining enforcement capabilities.

The Income Tax Department highlighted how offshore exchanges, private wallets, and decentralized finance tools complicate income tracking and assessment, with officials describing “anonymous, borderless and near-instant” transfers as major challenges.

India currently applies one of the world’s strictest crypto tax regimes despite the industry’s legal status and growing adoption.

The Financial Intelligence Unit approved 49 crypto exchanges during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, while Coinbase returned to the market after a two-year absence.

Crypto regulation update in India

In FY 2024–25, 49 crypto exchanges registered with FIU-IND to comply with AML & anti-terror financing laws.

• 45 are India-based
• 4 are overseas exchanges

Unlike other countries with multiple regulators, India has one single authority —… pic.twitter.com/DJzw2nsO2Z

— Vaishnav | DeFi Insights (@KiNG_Vaishnav_7) January 7, 2026

The Reserve Bank of India separately cautioned in its latest Financial Stability Report that privately issued stablecoins could threaten financial stability, arguing that central bank digital currencies should take precedence.

The central bank said the global stablecoin market reached approximately $300 billion by the end of 2025, with most tokens pegged to the US dollar and held by a few issuers.

Industry observers note that while Budget 2025 delivered significant income tax relief for individuals, expectations for major tax reforms this year remain modest, given revenue pressures and global economic uncertainty.

Tax experts surveyed by Indian media outlets largely predict the government will prioritize stability over additional reforms following last year’s substantial changes to personal taxation.

The post Crypto Executives Push India to Ease 30% Tax and 1% TDS Burden in Budget 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

The crypto market is up today, with the cryptocurrency market capitalisation rising by 1.1% to $3.37 trillion. At the time of writing, 60 of the top 100 coins have seen increases over the past 24 hours. Also, the total crypto trading volume stands at $166 billion.

TLDR:

Crypto market cap is up 1.1% on Thursday morning (UTC);

60 of the top 100 coins and 8 of the top 10 coins increased today;

BTC increased by 2.2% to $97,053, and ETH is up 1.1% to $3,367;

Arthur Hayes said BTC could climb to new ATHs in 2026;

The rally revived positive sentiment among market participants;

It was not accompanied by uniform enthusiasm across all market segments;

The current move is driven by technical and institutional factors rather than enthusiasm;

If balance holds, BTC could remain resilient even during consolidation phases;

US BTC and ETH spot ETFs posted inflows of $843.62 million and $175 million, respectively;

Vlad Tenev called out the US lawmakers as staking remains unavailable in four states;

‘Robinhood supports US Congress’s efforts to pass the market structure bill’;

Crypto market sentiment continues increasing.

Crypto Winners & Losers

Eight of the top 10 coins per market capitalisation have seen their prices appreciate over the past 24 hours, as of Thursday morning (UTC).

Bitcoin (BTC) appreciated by 2.2% since this time yesterday, currently trading at $97,053. This is the highest increase in the category today.

Bitcoin (BTC)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Ethereum (ETH) increased by 1.1%, now trading at $3,367. This is the category’s second-best performer.

The lowest increase was Solana (SOL)’s 0.1%, currently standing at $145.

On the other hand, Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP (XRP) recorded drops over the past day. DOGE is down 2.4% to the price of $0.1447, while XRP fell 1.6% to $2.11.

When it comes to the top 100 coins per market cap, 60 are up today, compared to 95 yesterday. Two of these posted double-digit increases.

Provenance Blockchain (HASH) is the category’s best performer. It’s up 20.5%, now trading at $0.02652.

The next on the list is Internet Computer (ICP), having appreciated 11.2% and now standing at $4.21.

While two more coins are up by around 6%-7% each, the rest increased by 2% and less per coin.

On the red side. Canton (CC) fell the most in the same timeframe. It’s down 8.3% to $0.1301.

Next up is Pepe (PEPE), recording an 8.1% drop to $0.000006108.

Meanwhile, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said that Bitcoin could climb to new all-time highs in 2026.

He argued that Bitcoin struggled in 2025 due to liquidity, while gold and the Nasdaq continued rising. “Dollar liquidity must expand” for BTC to outperform, Hayes said.

Source: cryptohayes.substack.com

BTC Moves Back to Centre of Financial Attention

Antonio Di Giacomo, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, commented that Bitcoin posted a notable bullish move, climbing to the $97,800 area, its highest level in nearly two months.

“The rally revived positive sentiment among market participants at a time when risk assets show mixed performance, and investors are assessing opportunities with greater caution,” he wrote. “The cryptocurrency has once again moved to the centre of financial attention, consolidating its role as a barometer of appetite for innovation and alternative hedging.”

The primary catalyst, the analyst argues, was a 13,600 BTC purchase by Strategy, its largest since July 2025. The company reinforced its position as the world’s largest corporate BTC holder. “Beyond the volume, the implicit message to the market was clear: institutional conviction in the asset remains intact,” Giacomo said.

“However, the rally was not accompanied by uniform enthusiasm across all market segments. Despite price strength, signs have emerged that retail demand, particularly in the United States, remains relatively weak. This contrast suggests that the current move is driven more by technical and institutional factors than by emotional or speculative enthusiasm among the broader public.”

The analyst noted that the market is being increasingly dominated by institutional decision-making. The price movements are driven less by mass speculative impulse and more by medium- and long-term capital allocation strategies.

“If this balance holds, Bitcoin could remain resilient even during consolidation phases, as long as institutional flows continue to support the asset. However, to accelerate the bullish cycle further, many analysts believe a more substantial return of retail participation will be necessary, as it has historically fuelled the most explosive rallies.”

In conclusion, he says, BTC’s recent advance reflects a market increasingly sustained by institutional capital, with major corporate purchases and ETF inflows setting the tone. While retail demand still appears subdued, the current structure suggests a stronger and less speculative foundation than in previous cycles. If this institutional support persists and is eventually joined by renewed interest from the broader public, the outlook for the cryptocurrency could remain favourable in the coming months.

Levels & Events to Watch Next

At the time of writing on Thursday morning, BTC stood at $97,053. It started the day with an intraday low of $94,736. It soon jumped to $97,704, trading on a similar level since, with a few minor dips.

Over the past week, BTC has appreciated 7.7%. In this period, it has been trading in the $89,799-$97,538 range.

If BTC manages to hold onto the $95,700–$95,200 demand zone, the bullish structure will remain intact. Moreover, surpassing $98,800 could potentially lead to the coin hitting the psychologically significant level of $100,000.

Moreover, Ethereum is currently changing hands at $3,367. Its trading day was choppier than BTC’s.

Following a fall to the day’s low of $3,281, it surged to the high of $3,386, but saw another dip to the $3,280 level again. It has recovered since.

Over the past week, ETH has appreciated by 8.4%, outperforming BTC. It has been trading in the $3,068-$3,379 range.

The price seems to be steadily moving towards $3,400. Holding this level may lead to a revisit of the $3,500 level on the path towards reclaiming the $4,000 mark.

Ethereum (ETH)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Moreover, the crypto market sentiment is still increasing, moving deeper into the neutral zone and further away from the fear zone.

The crypto fear and greed index stands at 54 this morning, compared to 52 yesterday. It’s a small increase, but a notable one, given that the metric hovered on the brink of fear territory for days and has now moved towards the green zone.

Optimism and hope have been rising amongst market participants since the beginning of the year, following the relative increase in market prices. Still, analysts argue that we’re in a consolidation period, so caution is still notable.

ETFs Continue Green Streak

On Wednesday, the US BTC spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a thirds straight day of positive flows, adding $843.62 million in total, which is the highest level since early October. This is the second day in a row that they’re seeing October levels. With this, the total net inflow increased to $58.12 billion.

Notably, eight of the twelve ETFs posted inflows, and none saw outflows again. BlackRock took first place with $648.39 million in inflows.

Fidelity is next on this list, having taken in $125.39 million on the same day.

Furthermore, the US ETH ETFs posted inflows as well. On 14 January, these totalled $175 million. This is a level briefly seen in December and in October before that. With this latest amount, the total net inflow moved up to $12.74 billion.

Six of the nine funds saw inflows, one more than yesterday, and none saw outflows again. The highest amount among these is BlackRock’s total of $81.6 million.

Grayscale follows closely with inflows of $75.82 million in total posted on the same day.

Meanwhile, Vlad Tenev, head of Robinhood, called out the US lawmakers, as staking remains unavailable in four states. Staking is one of the most sought-after features among the platform’s users, he said, but it’s still inaccessible in these states “due to the current gridlock.”

“Stock Tokens are available to our customers in the EU, but not in our home market,” Tenev wrote. “We support Congress’s efforts to pass the market structure bill,” he added. “But we see a path and are here to help the US Senate Banking Committee GOP and the Senate Banking and Housing Democrats get it over the line.”

Staking is one of the most requested features on @RobinhoodApp, but it’s still unavailable to customers in four U.S. states due to the current gridlock. Stock Tokens are available to our customers in the EU, but not in our home market.

It's time for the US to lead on crypto…

— Vlad Tenev (@vladtenev) January 15, 2026

Quick FAQ

Did crypto move with stocks today?

The crypto market posted a slight increase over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the US stock market closed another session lower on Wednesday. By the closing time on 14 January, the S&P 500 was down 0.53%, the Nasdaq-100 decreased by 1.07%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.086%. Investors were still digesting fresh economic data and bank earnings reports.

Is this rally sustainable?

Today’s increase is not high compared to yesterday, for example. It’s a minor increase that can still either jump higher or turn red. A drop would not be surprising in the current consolidation period, with prices moving in a relatively tight range.

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The post Why Is Crypto Up Today? – January 15, 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.