The latest developments in cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital finance.
Bitcoin futures open interest has rebounded around 13% in January following a sharp Q4 deleveraging, with analysts pointing to a cautious return of risk appetite even as positioning remains well below October highs. At the same time, options open interest has overtaken futures, signaling a shift toward more structured and risk-managed trading strategies.
Bitcoin’s hashrate has slipped below 1 zetahash per second for the first time in four months, falling nearly 15% from its October peak, as analysts say miners are increasingly diverting power toward AI and high-performance computing for better margins, even as mining difficulty falls and profitability improves.
Christopher Wood replaced a 10% Bitcoin model allocation with gold exposure, citing quantum risk. The report did not describe a bank-wide Bitcoin sale.
Trump said a Venezuela “leaker” has been jailed, comments that have refocused attention on suspiciously timed prediction market bets. Several Polymarket accounts tied to Venezuela wagers have gone inactive, while one continues betting on Iran. The episode adds momentum to calls for tighter oversight and insider trading rules for political prediction markets.
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.
Thai officials proposed linking agency databases to examine suspected money laundering involving gold and crypto. Operational rules need separate confirmation.
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.
CoinShares reported $454 million in weekly outflows in its January 12, 2026 report, with Bitcoin and Ether products leading withdrawals.
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.