The latest developments in cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital finance.
Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin’s divergence from tech stocks could signal a looming AI-driven credit crunch. He believes large-scale job losses may force central banks back into money printing, ultimately pushing Bitcoin to new highs.
Polygon temporarily surpassed Ethereum in daily fees, driven largely by booming activity on Polymarket. The milestone highlights how high-traffic applications can shift value capture toward Layer-2 networks. Sustained dominance, however, will depend on continued user demand beyond a single app.
The restaurant chain credited its Bitcoin strategy for higher same-store sales, but its February statement did not quantify the causal contribution.
A global survey shows stablecoins are increasingly used for salaries and everyday spending, especially in emerging markets. Lower fees and faster cross-border transfers are key drivers. With regulatory clarity improving, stablecoins are gaining ground as practical payment infrastructure rather than purely trading instruments.
TRM’s 2025 review examined transaction activity, darknet market preferences and network behavior. Its findings do not identify all Monero users.
Metaplanet’s pivot to Bitcoin has delivered explosive revenue growth, with crypto now driving 95% of sales. However, mark-to-market losses tied to Bitcoin’s price drop pushed the company into a sizable net loss. The firm remains committed to an aggressive treasury strategy, betting on long-term digital asset appreciation.
Binance denies enabling Iran-linked sanctions breaches and says an internal review found no wrongdoing. The dispute comes as the exchange remains under regulatory oversight following its 2023 US settlement. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of compliance controls at major crypto platforms.
Boerse Stuttgart and Tradias are merging to form a regulated European crypto infrastructure provider focused on institutional clients. The move highlights accelerating consolidation under MiCA, as traditional finance firms scale up to compete in Europe’s evolving digital asset market.
Figure Technology confirmed a data breach after a social-engineering attack, with hackers publishing customer data online. While crypto phishing losses have declined overall, sensitive personal data remains a prime target. The incident lands as Figure expands its public-market presence and tokenized equity ambitions.
Ark Invest used the recent Bitcoin dip to increase its exposure to Robinhood, Bullish and Circle, even as US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded fresh outflows. The move underscores continued volatility in institutional crypto flows, with selective equity buying contrasting broader ETF weakness.
Africa leads in stablecoin adoption but also records the highest conversion spreads globally. Costs vary sharply by country, driven largely by competition and liquidity rather than blockchain technology. Stablecoins may cut remittance friction, but local market dynamics still shape the final price users pay.
The EU is preparing a broad ban on Russia-linked crypto transactions as part of its 20th sanctions package. Officials aim to close loopholes used to bypass earlier restrictions, but analysts question whether decentralized liquidity can be fully controlled. The move underscores rising geopolitical tension around digital asset infrastructure.
US prosecutors say the case underscores the growing scale of relationship-based crypto fraud and renewed enforcement focus.
Gemini’s exit is testing the UK’s ambition to become a global crypto hub, with industry groups warning that slow, overlapping regulations and high compliance costs are pushing firms to jurisdictions that offer clearer and more predictable frameworks.
Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $145 million in fresh inflows as outflows slowed, signaling that institutional demand may be stabilizing. Analysts say early Bitcoin holders are mostly trimming profits rather than exiting, with new institutional investors increasingly stepping in.
Kevin Warsh is expected to be nominated as the next Fed chair, replacing Jerome Powell. Markets are already pricing in a more hawkish policy shift, while Warsh’s past remarks on Bitcoin stand out for framing crypto as a potential check on fiscal excess.
Benjamin Cowen’s January 2026 outlook anticipated further relative weakness for Bitcoin. Historical cycle comparisons are forecasts, not guarantees.
Optimism has approved a plan to use half of its Superchain revenue to buy back OP tokens, tying the token more closely to activity across its expanding layer-2 ecosystem, though the market has shown little immediate price reaction.