News and developments from the cryptocurrency industry.
AI’s demand for computing power is accelerating at a pace that’s reshaping global hardware markets. Nvidia’s leadership says the race is only intensifying, which could further push Bitcoin miners toward AI computing as GPUs become scarcer and more valuable.
Visa-linked crypto card spending jumped 525% in 2025, driven largely by stablecoin usage and strong demand from DeFi-native platforms. The data suggests crypto payments are moving beyond experimentation and into everyday use, with Visa positioning itself at the center of that transition.
Whales have moved over $2.4 billion in Bitcoin and Ether onto Binance, but buyer demand has yet to follow. With stablecoin inflows flat and long-term accumulation slowing, analysts warn that rising supply without fresh liquidity could weigh on crypto prices in the near term.
Bitcoin appears unlikely to suffer a major correction following the US strike on Venezuela, with analysts citing the event’s limited scope and lack of escalation risk. BTC’s ability to hold above $90,000 suggests growing resilience to geopolitical noise, as markets focus more on macro fundamentals than isolated conflicts.
Ilya Lichtenstein, who carried out the 2016 Bitfinex Bitcoin hack, has been released early under the First Step Act after serving just over a year of a five-year sentence. His release comes as Donald Trump signals renewed scrutiny of crypto-related prosecutions, reopening debate around punishment, reform, and accountability in the crypto era.
Crypto social sentiment has started 2026 on a surprisingly positive note, even as traditional fear indicators remain elevated. Analysts say cautious retail behavior could support further gains, but a rapid Bitcoin move toward $92,000 may test market discipline.
Crypto market sentiment has climbed out of extreme fear for the first time in weeks, hinting that selling pressure may be easing. However, broader indicators show traders remain cautious, with confidence improving slowly rather than shifting decisively toward risk-on behavior.
Solana is entering 2026 with rising real-world asset tokenization, growing ETF inflows, and stronger institutional adoption. While SOL’s price remains well below past highs, expanding onchain revenue and regulatory tailwinds could shape its next phase of growth.
A trader claims to have earned $1 million by exploiting abnormal trading behavior in a low-liquidity BNB Chain memecoin on Binance. While the exchange denies any security breach, the incident highlights how unusual order flow and memecoin-driven volatility continue to create sharp — and risky — trading opportunities.
Solana whale accumulation emerged as the leading crypto trend to start 2026, despite recent price declines. While markets remain cautious, steady buying by large holders and growing institutional infrastructure suggest investors are positioning for longer-term adoption rather than short-term speculation.
NFT supply surged to more than 1.3 billion tokens in 2025, but total sales fell sharply as buyer spending declined. The data shows a market shifting away from scarcity-driven speculation toward a high-volume, lower-price model where competition and utility matter more than hype.
The Fed’s divided outlook for 2026 signals a slower, more cautious rate-cut cycle, creating uncertainty for crypto markets. While some analysts still expect multiple cuts, others warn inflation risks could limit easing, keeping Bitcoin and risk assets sensitive to every policy shift.
A senior US lawmaker is pressing for an SEC oversight hearing after the agency dropped major crypto enforcement cases. The move highlights mounting political scrutiny over whether the SEC’s softer approach to crypto weakens investor protection or restores regulatory balance.
Bitcoin’s long-term holders have slowed their selling for the first time in months, easing one source of pressure on the market. At the same time, large Ethereum wallets are quietly accumulating, even as traders remain cautious and US-driven selling continues to weigh on sentiment.
Iran’s currency collapse and banking stress have triggered protests in Tehran, highlighting the real-world impact of monetary instability. Crypto industry leaders argue Bitcoin can help individuals protect savings when trust in fiat systems erodes, though regulatory barriers in Iran continue to limit access.
Web3 losses climbed to nearly $4 billion in 2025, driven mainly by weak access controls and key management failures rather than smart contract bugs. Hacken says North Korea-linked actors accounted for more than half of the damage, increasing pressure on regulators to turn security guidance into enforceable rules.
Crypto ETPs saw $446 million in outflows over Christmas, extending a cautious trend that began after October’s market correction. While Bitcoin and Ether funds continue to see redemptions, investors are rotating into newer XRP and Solana ETFs, with Germany standing out as a rare source of sustained inflows.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says Bitcoin indirectly supports the US dollar by acting as a market check on inflation and excessive spending. While Bitcoin offers a pressure valve during economic stress, stablecoins may play an even more direct role in extending dollar dominance worldwide.