News and developments from the cryptocurrency industry.
KBC plans to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading for Belgian retail investors via its Bolero platform from Feb. 16. The bank says the service complies with MiCA, even as Belgium has yet to issue formal MiCA licenses. The move comes amid broader EU debates over crypto supervision, passporting and the role of ESMA
Sygnum expects clearer US crypto regulation to pave the way for sovereign Bitcoin reserves and broader adoption of tokenization by banks in 2026, arguing that early state adopters could accelerate Bitcoin’s emergence as a global store of value despite ongoing political constraints. At the same time, the firm sees tokenized bonds moving steadily toward the financial mainstream as major institutions prepare to issue and manage debt directly on blockchain-based infrastructure.
Indian crypto platforms are urging the government to revisit high transaction taxes and loss restrictions ahead of the February budget. Exchanges argue that tighter compliance is already in place, but tax friction is pushing liquidity offshore. Industry leaders say targeted tax reforms could boost onshore activity while supporting enforcement goals.
Bitcoin derivatives open interest has fallen about 30% from October highs, signaling a broad deleveraging across the market. Analysts say this reset has historically preceded recoveries, but caution that derivatives markets have not yet confirmed a full bull phase.
Pakistan is exploring the use of a Trump-linked stablecoin for regulated payments and remittances, marking a rare sovereign-level engagement with a politically connected crypto venture. The move underscores Islamabad’s ambition to become a global crypto hub while testing stablecoins as part of its evolving digital finance strategy.
Thailand is stepping up efforts to combat illicit finance by unifying oversight of gold and crypto under a single enforcement framework. Stricter reporting, Travel Rule enforcement and a national data hub signal a more aggressive, data-centric approach to tracking “gray money” across both traditional and digital assets.
The latest Senate CLARITY Act draft would allow stablecoin rewards tied to usage, such as payments, wallets and staking, while banning yield paid simply for holding tokens. The proposal reflects a compromise between fostering crypto innovation and addressing banking sector concerns over deposit-like products.
Crypto funds saw $454 million in outflows last week as fading hopes for a March Fed rate cut cooled investor risk appetite. Bitcoin absorbed most of the selling, while select altcoins and European funds continued to attract inflows. The data points to caution rather than capitulation, with markets increasingly sensitive to macro policy signals.
A criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is reviving concerns over political influence on monetary policy, adding a new narrative tailwind for Bitcoin’s non-sovereign appeal. While sentiment indicators hint at a potential market bottom, professional traders remain cautious on BTC in the near term, favoring selective exposure elsewhere in crypto markets.
Andreessen Horowitz has raised $15 billion to back technologies it sees as vital to America’s future, with crypto remaining a key focus despite no new allocation to its standalone crypto fund. The firm argues that blockchain and AI are now central to maintaining US competitiveness in the next global technology cycle.
Pump.fun is reworking its creator fee system after admitting the current model encouraged token minting over healthy trading. The new structure aims to improve governance, transparency, and long-term liquidity. The move reflects a broader effort to stabilize Solana’s fast-moving memecoin economy.
UK crypto firms will need to apply for full FCA authorization starting in September 2026, well ahead of the new regime’s October 2027 launch. Existing registrations won’t carry over, and companies that miss the application window risk limits on new services.
The October crypto crash exposed flaws in arbitrage-heavy trading strategies and exchange risk systems, ending years of easy yield for market makers. Liquidity has thinned, funding trades have weakened, and traders are rethinking where and how they deploy capital. BitMEX says the fallout is forcing a long-overdue reset across both centralized and on-chain markets.
A Polymarket user who earned around $400,000 on a well-timed bet tied to Nicolás Maduro’s removal has disappeared from the platform. The unexplained account removal and rapid fund withdrawal are reigniting concerns over insider trading and transparency in crypto-based prediction markets.
Anthropic is seeking to raise $10 billion at a $350 billion valuation, nearly doubling its worth as investor demand for AI exposure remains intense. Backed by major funds and tech giants, the Claude maker is aiming for profitability by 2028 and a potential IPO this year, highlighting how the AI race is reshaping global capital markets.
South Korea is considering allowing regulators to freeze crypto accounts before suspected manipulators can move funds, aligning digital asset oversight with stock market enforcement. The move reflects broader regulatory tightening as authorities seek stronger tools to police fast-moving crypto markets.
US IPOs underperformed the S&P 500 in 2025 as crypto and AI listings delivered uneven returns after debut. While some firms saw strong openings, weak follow-through reinforced a market shift toward selectivity and fundamentals over speculative growth stories.
Bitcoin whales have accumulated more than $5.3 billion worth of BTC while retail traders take profits, a setup Santiment views as bullish. With supply shifting toward long-term holders and leverage still muted, Bitcoin’s multi-week consolidation could be nearing a breakout.