The stories attracting the most readers across The Token Press.
Big Tech firms are backing the x402 Foundation to create open standards for AI-powered payments across crypto and traditional systems. The initiative aims to enable AI agents to transact autonomously online. While early activity on the protocol surged, usage has recently slowed as adoption continues to develop.
CoinDCX is investing $11 million to combat crypto fraud after its founders were cleared in an impersonation-related case. The exchange plans to address phishing and fake websites through a new Digital Suraksha Network. The move highlights rising concerns around user safety as India’s crypto market continues to grow.
Bitcoin and Ether fell after US-Israel strikes on Iran erased $128 billion from crypto markets. Investors rotated toward traditional safe havens, while derivatives data showed rising short-term risk aversion. The move extends Bitcoin’s broader post-October correction.
Coinone is exploring the sale of major shareholder stakes, fueling takeover speculation as consolidation accelerates in South Korea’s highly active crypto market, with Coinbase rumored to be assessing a strategic entry despite no deal being confirmed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Northern Data has sold its Bitcoin mining unit, Peak Mining, to companies linked to senior Tether executives, according to the Financial Times. The deal highlights Tether’s expanding role across mining, data centers, and digital infrastructure beyond stablecoins.
Solmate says digital asset treasury firms need real, revenue-generating businesses to avoid volatility tied to token balance sheets. The company is focusing on validator and infrastructure services to support long-term growth beyond pure asset holdings.
A new Soulja Boy memecoin on Base has sparked fresh warnings from ZachXBT after Jesse Pollak publicly shared a purchase. Past allegations of rug pulls and failed NFT projects are resurfacing, reinforcing long-standing concerns around celebrity-backed crypto promotions.
Coinbase now supports trading all Solana tokens via DEX rails—no listings needed. As Solana’s DeFi ecosystem surges, CeFi platforms are increasingly becoming gateways to decentralized markets.
DeFi researchers uncovered $284M in debt exposure linked to Stream Finance, with major protocols like Elixir and TelosC heavily impacted. The discovery follows Stream’s $93M loss and halted operations, raising fresh concerns about transparency and systemic risk in interconnected DeFi lending markets.
Nasdaq reprimanded TON Strategy for failing to obtain shareholder approval on a $272.7M Toncoin purchase funded through a PIPE deal. Nearly half of the financing was used for the token buy, breaching exchange rules. While Nasdaq deemed the violations unintentional, the case underscores rising compliance challenges for public firms engaging in large-scale crypto treasury operations.