Crypto Breaking

World Liberty Financial has unveiled plans to introduce a new foreign exchange and remittance platform called World Swap. This platform aims to simplify global money transfers and reduce high transaction fees. The venture is backed by the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump, raising some ethical concerns. It is set to challenge traditional financial institutions and revolutionize cross-border transactions.

Revolutionizing the Remittance Market

The World Swap platform is designed to connect users directly to bank accounts and debit cards worldwide. It will allow users to complete foreign exchange and remittance transactions at a much lower cost than traditional financial institutions. Co-founder Zak Folkman highlighted that the platform is built around the company’s USD1 stablecoin, which was launched last year.

Folkman emphasized that over $7 trillion is currently moving across the globe in currency exchanges, and traditional financial institutions have been heavily taxing these transfers. With World Swap, the company aims to cut these fees significantly, offering a more efficient solution for global money transfers. The platform is poised to directly compete with services provided by banks and legacy money transfer operators.

Expanding into Decentralized Finance

In addition to its remittance platform, World Liberty Financial is expanding its footprint in decentralized finance. The firm recently launched its lending platform, World Liberty Markets, which has already facilitated $320 million in loans. It has also handled more than $200 million in borrowings since its inception just a few weeks ago.

World Liberty Financial’s broader goal is to carve out a significant role in the global payments and remittance ecosystem. This ecosystem is currently dominated by established financial players who charge high fees and have long settlement times. The firm’s stablecoin-based approach offers a potentially more affordable and faster alternative to traditional financial systems.

Ethics Scrutiny Amid Trump Family Ties

World Liberty Financial’s expansion has raised concerns among government ethics experts due to its ties to the Trump family business, the Trump Organization. The company’s activities have reportedly generated substantial revenue from foreign entities, fueling these concerns. The timing of the company’s growth, coupled with Donald Trump’s involvement in U.S. crypto policy, has led to discussions about potential conflicts of interest.

Despite these concerns, the White House has denied any conflicts of interest. The company has not yet disclosed a specific launch date for World Swap or detailed its pricing model. However, the announcement signals the company’s intent to disrupt the global remittance industry and take on incumbent players in the market.

This article was originally published as Trump-Backed World Liberty Financial Launches World Swap Remittance Platform on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Fresh on-chain data from Glassnode suggests Bitcoin could be headed for another prolonged phase of range-bound trading unless critical support levels are reclaimed. The February edition of The Week On-chain highlights a price corridor anchored by the True Market Mean near $79,200 and a Realized Price around $55,000 — a setup that mirrors patterns seen in the first half of 2022. With overhead supply concentrated in higher price bands, the decisive question remains: will new buyers re-enter and lift BTC out of consolidation?

Key takeaways

Bitcoin remains confined within a corridor defined by the True Market Mean (~$79,200) and the Realized Price (~$55,000), signaling a 2022-style consolidation unless key support is reclaimed.

A breakout would require a decisive reclaim of the True Market Mean near $79,200 or a systemic dislocation that drives price below the Realized Price around $55,000, according to Glassnode.

Overhead supply is structurally heavy, with large clusters positioned between roughly $82,000–$97,000 and then again from $100,000–$117,000, creating a potential sell-side overhang if prices move higher.

Whales appear to be shifting risk posture, closing long positions and opening shorts relative to retail, reinforcing a cautious, range-bound outlook for the near term.

Near-term price action remains pinned between support below $65,000 and resistance near $68,000, with a move above $72,000 needed to re-open upside traffic toward earlier momentum benchmarks.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The on-chain view fits within a broader environment where liquidity and risk appetite are delicate, and buyers are waiting for a clearer catalyst. The mix of heavy overhead supply and patient accumulation suggests a market that could drift rather than surge without fresh demand catalysts.

Why it matters

The unfolding dynamics around Bitcoin’s price framework matter for traders and long-term holders alike. The analysis emphasizes the importance of on-chain metrics in gauging potential supply pressure that could cap rallies even if price action briefly turns bullish. If BTC can reclaim the high-end thresholds implied by the True Market Mean, the market could test higher moving averages and previously observed resistance zones. Conversely, persistent weakness around the Realized Price would imply additional downside risk, particularly for participants who bought into higher ranges and are still sitting on unrealized losses.

On-chain behavior paints a nuanced picture. The URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) suggests that substantial portions of the supply were created at price levels well above current prices, reinforcing the argument that a meaningful number of coin-holders may have an emotional and financial stake in seeing a higher price if conditions permit. Yet these same clusters also form a potential overhang: if market momentum fades or risk sentiment deteriorates, concentrated gains from earlier periods could quickly turn into selling pressure as holders decide to cut losses or rebalance.

Added to this, the market environment features a tug-of-war between long-term holders and more speculative participants. Data from on-chain observers and market analytics firms indicates that larger players are tightening exposure, a signal that the restoration of upside momentum will likely require a catalyst capable of re-igniting fresh demand. In practical terms, that means price action could remain choppy until a clear breakout above major resistance or a decisive breach of critical support occurs, with every swing potentially attracting new entrants or sellers depending on the path taken.

What to watch next

Watch whether Bitcoin clears the $68,000 resistance to aim for the $72,000 level again, a move that would re-energize momentum toward the 20-day EMA and beyond.

Monitor for a true reclaim of the True Market Mean near $79,200, which Glassnode identifies as a potential sign of renewed structural strength.

Be alert for a drop below the Realized Price around $55,000, which could trigger renewed capitulation or a shift in risk tolerance among holders.

Track ongoing on-chain activity from major holders, particularly any notable increases in short positioning relative to retail, as it could presage further consolidation.

Observe how overhead supply bands between $82,000 and $117,000 behave if price attempts to press higher, as the density of this supply hints at potential sell-side pressure that could cap rallies.

Sources & verification

The Week On-chain by Glassnode (February 11 edition) detailing overhead supply and the True Market Mean vs Realized Price dynamics.

Glassnode’s URPD data showing long-term supply clusters above $82,000 and related implications for unrealized losses.

Commentary from Joao Wedson (Alphractal) on changing whale activity and the potential for a consolidation phase over the next month.

CoinGlass liquidation heatmap illustrating liquidity distribution between bids and asks around the $69,000–$72,000 region.

Cross-referenced price movement discussions noting the need to clear $72,000 to target higher moving averages.

Bitcoin price in focus: market dynamics and key levels

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is currently trading within a defined corridor that mirrors a broader, on-chain narrative about when demand will re-enter after a period of subdued momentum. The framework rests on two pivotal on-chain markers: the True Market Mean, a measure of where the market’s “fair value” sits on a given day, and the Realized Price, which anchors the cost basis of coins currently in circulation. Glassnode’s recent analysis emphasizes that these markers have established a price range that, for now, resembles the patterns observed during the first half of 2022. In that period, BTC traded between the True Market Mean and the Realized Price before entering a protracted bear phase, with a low near $15,000 later that year. While the present setup does not predict a similar outcome, it underscores the challenge of surging higher without a fundamental catalyst that re-energizes buyers.

Overhead supply, a term that captures the concentration of coins that would require price appreciation to become fully realized profit, remains structurally heavy in higher price bands. The URPD data points to substantial clusters above $82,000, extending into the $97,000 and beyond $117,000 zones. These levels represent cohorts of coins that have historically faced unrealized losses; in a market where buyers are scarce, these zones can turn into latent sell-offs if volatility spikes or sentiment deteriorates. In practice, this translates to a potential ceiling on upside movements unless demand accelerates or supply dynamics shift decisively in favor of buyers.

Rounding out the on-chain narrative is visible activity from market participants described as “whales” — those holding large quantities of BTC. Recent posts from industry observers noted a shift: long positions are being closed while shorts are being opened relative to retail activity. This pattern aligns with a cautious stance, reinforcing a prevailing view that the market could continue to absorb supply rather than launch into a rapid uptrend. In other words, the current price action could persist within a narrow band as participants wait for a decisive trigger to reorient risk exposure.

From a practical standpoint, the price dynamics show BTC facing a barrier near $68,000 after a recent attempt to rebound from lows below $60,000. The next significant hurdle sits at around $72,000, a level that many analysts say must be cleared to re-engage the upward slope toward the 20-day exponential moving average near $76,000 and, beyond that, the 50-day moving average above $85,000. Until that sequence of resistance is breached, the market is more likely to remain in a phase of range-bound action with incremental gains or losses tied to short-term liquidity and the evolving appetite for risk across crypto markets.

In parallel, market observers highlight the current liquidity landscape as another critical factor. The liquidity framework, which shapes how quickly buyers or sellers can enter or exit positions, tends to tighten during uncertain macro periods. In such a regime, even modest shifts in sentiment can produce outsized price moves, particularly when the order book tightens around the major support and resistance thresholds described above. The absence of a clear catalyst makes the path of least resistance a continued drift, with occasional bursts as traders reposition around the pivotal levels identified by on-chain analysis.

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This article was originally published as Bitcoin Analysts Forecast Prolonged BTC Price Consolidation on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin’s latest price action underscores a paradox at the heart of institutional crypto interest: capital is increasingly present, yet money managers remain wary of labeling BTC as a risk-off hedge. After topping near $120,000 in October, the asset has retraced more than 25% in the past month, prompting observers to parse whether the pullback signals a maturation of the market or a cooling in risk appetite among investors. The debate touches on four-year cycle dynamics, regulatory clarity, and how Wall Street–level players are recalibrating their exposure as policy conversations unfold.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin has shed more than 25% in the month, testing critical levels as institutional risk appetite shifts and cycle dynamics influence pricing.

The CLARITY Act, a centerpiece of US crypto regulation, remains stalled in the Senate, with banks and exchanges contending over stablecoin provisions that could reshape exchange economics.

Grayscale argues that near-term BTC moves resemble growth equities with high enterprise value rather than traditional gold, signaling a non-traditional risk profile for the asset.

High-level talks on crypto market structure legislation continue, including a White House engagement between crypto executives and bankers, signaling bipartisan momentum toward clarity.

Kaiko Research flags a potential $60,000 level as a halfway point in the bear market, stressing that on-chain metrics will determine whether the four-year cycle framework holds.

Regulatory clarity and the GENIUS Act are viewed as structural catalysts that could unlock new use cases for stablecoins and tokenized assets, potentially guiding long-term value for networks.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $COIN

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Negative. Bitcoin fell more than 25% this month as institutions reevaluated risk positions and macro conditions remained uncertain.

Market context: The price pullback comes as the broader crypto environment weighs liquidity, risk appetite, and a regulatory landscape in flux, with policymakers debating how to modernize oversight of digital assets and market infrastructure.

Market context

The recent price action sits at the intersection between growing institutional involvement and ongoing regulatory ambiguity. While well-capitalized firms have shown continued interest in crypto products, their willingness to treat BTC as a risk-on asset remains contested. The conversation around regulatory clarity—particularly for market structure and stablecoins—has increasingly become the central driver of flows and product strategy, influencing whether institutions deepen exposure or recalibrate to avoid regulatory risk.

Why it matters

From a market efficiency perspective, the episode tests whether institutions can comfortably price BTC within a regulated framework that reduces tail risk while preserving participation. Grayscale has argued that BTC’s short-term moves align more with growth-oriented software equities than with precious metals, which could broaden the interpretation of what drives crypto prices beyond the traditional store-of-value narrative. The insistence on regulatory clarity suggests a path toward broader use cases—such as tokenized assets and stablecoins—that could, over time, add depth to liquidity and utility in the sector.

On the policy front, the CLARITY Act represents a sweeping redesign of crypto oversight, including DeFi, exchanges, and capital markets rules. The bill’s stalled status in the Senate has frustrated industry participants who argue that delay erodes confidence and slows strategic planning. Coinbase (EXCHANGE: COIN) and other major players have been key voices in the debate, reflecting how regulatory outcomes will shape product structuring, risk management, and partnerships going forward. The GENIUS Act, which passed in July 2025, is cited as part of a broader push toward a clearer regulatory framework, suggesting that lawmakers recognize the structural benefits of clearer rules for innovation and investor protection.

Analysts continue to weigh whether Bitcoin’s bear market can extend toward new price anchors or whether a structural shift in sentiment—driven by policy progress and institutional onboarding—will eventually rekindle momentum. Some observers point to a potential bottom in the high tens of thousands before a longer-term recovery, while others emphasize that the outcome will hinge on regulatory breakthroughs and the resilience of on-chain networks amid macro headwinds.

“I think there was a lot of sell-off just because firms that got into it from mainstream finance had to adjust their risk positions.”

“Retail people don’t get into crypto because they want to make 11% annualized … They get in because they want to make 30 to one, eight to one, 10 to one.”

Beyond the price action, the market is watching how geopolitical and regulatory signals converge. White House discussions between crypto executives and bankers—part of ongoing talks to resolve roadblocks to market structure reform—could influence the speed and direction of institutional flows. In the meantime, industry researchers note that on-chain metrics and cross-asset correlations will continue to shape the narrative around whether the four-year cycle remains intact or yields a different pattern for BTC and related assets.

In short, the bear market debate is less about a single catalyst and more about a convergence of cycles, policy, and evolving institutional incentives. As participants await clearer rules, the market will likely experience continued volatility, punctuated by moments when policy events or macro shifts trigger sharp repricings. The coming months could be decisive for whether BTC cement its role as a core allocation for institutions or whether it remains a higher-risk, higher-reward bet that requires more robust regulatory scaffolding before a broader class of investors can comfortably participate.

What to watch next

Regulatory progress on the CLARITY Act and GENIUS Act, including any scheduled committee votes or floor actions.

Outcomes of the White House meetings with crypto and banking representatives, and any policy signals that emerge from those discussions.

Key price levels for BTC, with attention to whether the $60,000 region acts as a support or acts as a magnet for further downside.

New on-chain metrics and cross-asset analyses that could confirm or challenge the four-year cycle framework.

Regulatory clarity that could unlock additional use cases for stablecoins and tokenized assets, influencing the structure and liquidity of crypto markets.

Sources & verification

Grayscale, Market Commentary: Bitcoin trading more like growth than gold.

Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller’s remarks at a monetary policy conference on crypto hype and risk positions.

Mike Novogratz’s CNBC interview on institutional risk tolerance in crypto markets.

Kaiko Research notes on critical support levels and cycle analysis.

White House discussions involving crypto executives and bankers on market structure reform.

Bitcoin’s price slump tests institutional adoption and regulatory clarity

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has moved under a cloud of regulatory uncertainty and shifting institutional appetite. After rallying to above $120,000 in October, the flagship crypto has retraced more than 25% in the past month, prompting observers to parse whether the pullback signals a maturation of the market or a cooling in risk appetite among investors. The pullback sits at the center of a broader debate about whether BTC is a risk-on asset or if a regulatory environment that supports product innovation and investor protection can coexist with a robust institutional footprint.

Price dynamics through this period suggest a mix of cyclical drivers and risk management by large players who entered crypto markets during a period of high enthusiasm. Some market participants attribute the sell-off to the four-year cycle framework commonly cited in crypto analysis, while others see a more general tightening of risk appetite among institutions that had pursued crypto exposure as part of a broader portfolio diversification strategy. The trajectory has been punctuated by sharp moves, with BTC slipping from its October highs and trading in lower ranges that have drawn comparisons to growth equities rather than to the classic safe-haven narrative associated with gold.

Within policy circles, the debate over appropriate regulation remains intense. The CLARITY Act would overhaul US crypto regulation, touching on areas from DeFi oversight to market infrastructure. The bill has stalled in the Senate as Coinbase (EXCHANGE: COIN) and the banking lobby clash over stablecoin provisions that could affect exchange economics and systemic risk. The absence of timely clarity has been cited by policymakers and industry participants as a key factor delaying broader institutional participation and product development. In parallel, the GENIUS Act, which had cleared its path in 2025, is viewed as part of a broader push toward a framework that could enable more predictable and scalable crypto markets.

Prominent voices in the industry have offered mixed perspectives. Fed governor Waller framed the current crypto environment as reflecting a fading wave of euphoria rather than a lasting structural shift toward digital gold. His comments at a recent monetary policy conference underscored the idea that institutions are still recalibrating risk positions as the macro backdrop evolves. In a separate interview, Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz highlighted how institutions approach crypto with a different risk tolerance than retail investors, a distinction that can influence price action and liquidity dynamics. “Retail people don’t get into crypto because they want to make 11% annualized … They get in because they want to make 30 to one, eight to one, 10 to one,” he observed, pointing to the motivational differences that help explain long-term price trajectories beyond traditional hedges.

Meanwhile, market structure researchers at Grayscale have emphasized a broader context for BTC’s recent moves. They noted that short-term price action has shown correlations with software equities and tech-driven growth narratives rather than with gold or other conventional safe-haven assets. This view aligns with a broader market trend where digital assets are increasingly treated as high-growth tech exposures with unique risk characteristics rather than as proxies for traditional stores of value.

Looking ahead, the market will hinge on regulatory clarity and the pace at which policymakers can deliver predictable rules. The current discussions—including high-level talks that culminated in a White House meeting involving crypto and banking leaders—signal bipartisan momentum for market-structure reforms. If lawmakers can translate sentiment into concrete legislation, the door could open for a broader institutional onboarding, greater product innovation, and more defined risk management practices that could, over time, shape BTC’s role in diversified portfolios.

This article was originally published as Is This Crypto Winter Different? Experts Reevaluate Bitcoin on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

The United States National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has laid out its first proposed rules under the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, detailing how subsidiaries of federally insured credit unions could apply to become federally supervised payment stablecoin issuers. This marks a tangible step toward setting a licensing and oversight framework for a niche of digital assets that regulators view as both a payments solution and a potential systemic risk. The proposal aligns with the NCUA’s broader mandate to supervise credit unions that collectively serve roughly 144 million members and manage about $2.38 trillion in assets as of mid-2025. If the rulemaking proceeds, issuers would need an NCUA-permitted payment stablecoin issuer (PPSI) license before issuing coins, and federally insured credit unions would face investment and lending restrictions related to PPSIs. The agency has also signaled that a forthcoming rule will implement GENIUS Act standards for PPSIs, addressing reserves, capital, liquidity, illicit finance controls, and information technology risk management.

The agency’s stance reflects a cautious yet orderly approach to stabilizing the regulatory ground for stablecoins issued through bank-like affiliates. The NPRM focuses on licensing architecture and investment limits, laying the groundwork for a regulated path to potential stablecoin services for credit union members. The policy landscape around stablecoins in the U.S. has evolved alongside ongoing discussions about the GENIUS Act’s broader technical standards, including soundness provisions and risk controls that would govern PPSIs. Notably, the draft emphasizes that any licensing framework would be built around separate supervised subsidiaries rather than direct issuance by insured depository institutions themselves. This structural choice mirrors a recurring policy design across U.S. banking and payments regulation, seeking to isolate stablecoin activities within regulated, auditable entities while preserving the safety and soundness of the parent institutions.

The draft is notable for its clock and openness provisions. A key feature is a 120‑day deadline to approve or deny an application once it has been deemed substantially complete. If the agency does not act within that period, the application would be deemed approved by default. The rule also ensures a level playing field by stating that an issuer’s choice to operate on an open, public, or decentralized network cannot be used as the sole reason to deny a PPSI application. In addition, the NPRM reiterates a core GENIUS Act design principle: insured depository institutions, including credit unions, would not issue payment stablecoins directly; rather, they would channel activities through separately supervised subsidiaries that meet uniform federal standards.

Stakeholders now have a 60‑day window from the Federal Register publication to comment on the proposed rule before the NCUA moves to finalize or revise the licensing framework. The proposal, in its current form, serves as a narrow but important first step in shaping licensing, oversight, and investment parameters for PPSIs. A second wave of rulemaking is anticipated to implement the GENIUS Act’s broader standards for PPSIs, including risk management and anti‑money‑laundering controls.

​​Public chain neutral and 120‑day clock

Two features stand out for the broader crypto market. First, the NCUA would be barred from denying a substantially complete application solely because a stablecoin is issued “on an open, public, or decentralized network,” language that explicitly prevents public blockchain issuance from being rejected on that basis alone. Second, once an application is deemed “substantially complete,” the agency would have 120 days to approve or deny it, and if the NCUA fails to act within that window, the application would be “deemed approved” by default.

The draft also implements a central GENIUS Act design choice: insured depository institutions, including credit unions, cannot issue payment stablecoins directly and must instead use separately supervised subsidiaries that meet uniform federal standards. For credit unions, that generally means routing activity through credit union service organizations and other qualifying entities that fall under NCUA’s jurisdiction as “subsidiaries of an insured credit union.” The document, however, is only a notice of proposed rulemaking. Stakeholders have 60 days from Federal Register publication to comment before the NCUA can finalize or revise the licensing regime.

The NPRM signals a cautious but deliberate approach to how traditional financial institutions might intersect with digital assets through regulated vehicles. While the GENIUS Act has been a focal point of debate among policymakers, this initial draft concentrates on licensing mechanics and investment boundaries, deliberately deferring the detailed standards to a forthcoming proposal. The NCUA’s posture suggests an intent to create a controlled pathway for any PPSI that seeks to serve members, rather than open the door to a broad, unregulated stablecoin issuance environment.

As the public comment period opens, market participants and industry observers will be watching for how the agency delineates eligibility criteria for PPSIs, how it defines “substantial completeness,” and how the licensing process interacts with other federal regulators. The regulatory cadence around stablecoins remains a dynamic frontier in U.S. financial policy, particularly as other jurisdictions pursue their own approaches to stablecoin governance and payments infrastructure.

For now, the rulemaking is narrowly scoped to licensing and investment limits. A forthcoming proposal will implement GENIUS Act standards and restrictions for PPSIs, including reserves, capital, liquidity, illicit finance safeguards, and IT risk management. The NCUA indicated in the notice that the GENIUS Act’s standards would provide a cohesive framework for the prudential oversight of PPSIs operating via insured credit unions’ subsidiaries.

What to watch next

60‑day comment period following Federal Register publication to shape the final rule.

Release of the final PPSI licensing framework, including application procedures and eligibility criteria.

Publication of the GENIUS Act–driven standards for PPSIs, covering reserves, capital, liquidity, and IT risk management.

Any regulatory guidance on investments by credit unions in PPSIs and related vehicle structures through subsidiaries.

Potential pilot programs or demonstrations of PPSI services within insured credit unions, subject to approvals.

Sources & verification

NCUA press release: NC UA proposes rule permitting payment stablecoin issuer applications — https://ncua.gov/newsroom/press-release/2026/ncua-proposes-rule-permitted-payment-stablecoin-issuer-applications

NCUA press release: NC UA releases second quarter 2025 credit union system performance data — https://ncua.gov/newsroom/press-release/2025/ncua-releases-second-quarter-2025-credit-union-system-performance-data

GENIUS Act overview and implications — https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/genius-act-how-it-could-reshape-us-stablecoin-regulation

Magazine coverage: Bitcoin stablecoins showdown looms as GENIUS Act nears — https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/bitcoin-stablecoins-showdown-looms-genius-act-nears/

This article was originally published as US Credit Union Regulator Proposes Stablecoin Licensing Path on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Editor’s note: In crypto and fintech security, email remains a critical attack vector. The 2025 Kaspersky findings show a sharp rise in malicious and potentially unwanted emails, with spam accounting for nearly half of global traffic and millions of dangerous attachments hitting users. For crypto firms and investors, these trends mean more phishing, more BEC attempts, and combined-channel scams that blend email with messaging apps and even legitimate-looking services. This editorial summarizes the implications and directs attention to the press release’s key points, which detail where threats are coming from, how attackers adapt, and practical defenses for the year ahead.

Key points

44.99% of global email traffic was spam in 2025.

Over 144 million malicious and potentially unwanted email attachments.

APAC led detections at 30%, Europe 21%, with China 14% among top countries.

Detections peaked in June, July and November.

Trends include cross-channel scams, evasion techniques, platform abuse, and refined BEC tactics.

Why this matters

Kaspersky’s 2025 telemetry shows 44.99% of global email traffic was spam, with 144 million malicious attachments and APAC leading detections, underscoring rising phishing risks.

Attackers increasingly blend email with other channels, employ advanced disguises, and imitate legitimate services, creating risk for crypto platforms and users alike. Staying ahead requires awareness, user training, and layered security measures.

What to watch next

Monitor cross-channel phishing and fraudulent outreach patterns.

Watch for increased use of legitimate platforms to send spam and scams.

Be vigilant for refined BEC tactics and fake email threads.

Strengthen phishing awareness and security controls across organizations.

Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.

Kaspersky reports 15% growth in malicious email attacks in 2025

12 February 2026

According to Kaspersky telemetry, almost every second email – 44.99% of global traffic – was spam in 2025. Spam consists not only of unsolicited emails, but can also include various email threats such as scam, phishing and malware. In 2025, individuals and corporate users encountered over 144 million malicious and potentially unwanted email attachments, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous year figures.

In 2025, APAC had the largest share of email antivirus detections: it reached 30%, followed by Europe with 21%. Next came Latin America (16%) and the Middle East (15%), Russia and CIS (12%) and Africa (6%). As for individual countries, China had the highest rate of malicious and potentially unwanted email attachments, with the share of email antivirus detections of 14%. Russia ranked second (11%), followed by Mexico (8%), Spain (8%) and Turkey (5%).

Email antivirus detections peaked moderately in June, July and November.

Key trends in email spam and phishing

Kaspersky’s annual analysis has also identified several persistent trends in the email spam and phishing threat landscape that are expected to continue into 2026:

Combination of various communication channels. Attackers lure email users into switching to messengers or calling fraudulent phone numbers. For instance, scam investment mailings may redirect victims to fake websites, where they are asked to provide their contact information, and then cybercriminals will follow up with a phone call.

Usage of diverse evasion techniques in phishing and malicious emails. Threat actors frequently try to disguise phishing URLs, for example, with the help of link protection services and QR codes. These QR codes are often embedded directly in email bodies or within PDF attachments, which not only conceals phishing links but also encourages users to scan them on mobile devices, potentially exploiting weaker security measures than corporate PCs.

Mailings exploiting diverse legitimate platforms. For example, Kaspersky experts discovered a fraudulent tactic that abuses OpenAI’s organization creation and team invitation features to send spam emails from legitimate OpenAI addresses, potentially tricking users into clicking scam links or dialing fraudulent phone numbers. Additionally, a calendar-based phishing scheme, which originated in the late 2010s, resurfaced last year with a focus on corporate users.

Refining tactics in business email compromise (BEC) attacks. In 2025 attackers attempted to become even more persuasive by incorporating fake forwarded emails into their correspondence. These emails lacked thread-index headers or other headers, making it difficult to verify their legitimacy within an email conversation.

Email phishing shouldn’t be underestimated. Our report reveals that one in ten business attacks starts with phishing, with a significant proportion being Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). In 2025, we saw an increase in the sophistication of targeted email attacks. Even the smallest details are meticulously crafted in these malicious campaigns, including the composition of sender addresses and the tailoring of content to real corporate events and processes. The commodification of generative AI has significantly amplified this threat, enabling attackers to craft convincing, personalized phishing messages at scale with minimal effort, automatically adapting tone, language and context to specific targets,

To learn more about spam and phishing threat landscape, visit securelist.com.

To stay safe, Kaspersky recommends:

Treat unsolicited invitations from any platform with suspicion, even if they appear to come from trusted sources.

Carefully inspect URLs before clicking.

Do not call any phone numbers indicated in suspicious emails – if you need to call support of a certain service, it is best to find the phone number on the official webpage of this service.

For corporate users, Kaspersky Security for Mail Server with its multi-layered defense mechanisms powered by machine learning algorithms provides robust protection against a wide range of evolving threats and offers peace of mind to businesses in the face of evolving cyber risks.

Ensure all employee devices, including smartphones, are equipped with robust security software.

Conduct regular training on modern phishing tactics.

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and nearly 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

This article was originally published as Kaspersky: 15% growth in malicious email attacks in 2025 on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Editor’s note: In today’s fintech landscape, global payment infrastructures are increasingly decisive in unlocking cross-border commerce. Juspay’s Dubai DIFC HQ marks a milestone in its expansion, signaling a focus on enterprise-grade payments in the Middle East. The move aligns with GCC digitization goals and regional fintech collaboration, and demonstrates how scalable payments platforms can drive growth across international markets. This release outlines Juspay’s strategy and what it means for merchants, banks, and developers navigating multi‑currency challenges.

Key points

Juspay opens a regional headquarters in DIFC Dubai to expand its Middle East presence.

The expansion aims to serve enterprise merchants, banks, and networks across GCC and MEASA.

The DIFC hub enables closer engagement with partners to scale enterprise payments.

Juspay powers 500+ enterprise merchants and banks globally with full‑stack payment orchestration and related services.

Why this matters

This expansion signals a long‑term commitment to open, interoperable payments across the MEA region, offering an institutional‑grade platform to handle multi‑currency and regulatory challenges. It also reinforces Dubai’s role as a fintech hub and positions Juspay to partner with regional banks, networks and merchants to scale payments across markets.

What to watch next

Regional team growth and partnerships with banks and networks in DIFC and GCC.

Adoption of Juspay’s payments orchestration platform by MEA enterprises.

Regulatory and compliance readiness to support multi‑currency, cross‑border payments across GCC and MEASA.

Expansion of services to additional markets in MEASA as demand scales.

Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.

Juspay Strengthens Middle East Presence with DIFC Headquarters

Dubai, February 10th, 2026 – Juspay, a global leader in payment infrastructure solutions for enterprises and banks, today announced its expansion into the Middle East with the opening of its regional headquarters in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This move marks an important step in Juspay’s international expansion, deepening its focus on serving enterprise merchants, banks, and financial institutions in the Middle East. The DIFC headquarters will support closer engagement with existing partners as enterprise payment demand continues to scale.

With digital commerce accelerating in the GCC region, rapidly scaling enterprises in sectors such as airlines, hospitality, e‑commerce, and financial services face increasing complexity driven by multiple regional currencies, evolving regulations, and diverse local payment methods.

To address this complexity, Juspay’s payments orchestration platform provides a unified & reliable payments stack, helping organizations optimize authorisation rates and costs, simplify compliance and scale seamlessly across GCC and global markets with institutional‑grade reliability.

Establishing operations in DIFC highlights Juspay’s long‑term commitment to the Middle East, with a focus on building , regulated, and enterprise‑grade payments infrastructure in the region. As a leading global financial hub, DIFC provides a strong regulatory environment, robust infrastructure, and access to high quality talent. Juspay plans to leverage this and work closely with regional banks, acquirers, networks, and ecosystem partners to deliver scalable and reliable payment solutions tailored for enterprises operating across global markets.

Commenting on the expansion, Sheetal Lalwani, Co‑founder & COO of Juspay, said: “Juspay has been building foundational payments infrastructure for large‑scale, mission‑critical commerce globally for over a decade. We are excited to bring these learnings to the Middle East and partner with merchants, banks, networks, and the broader ecosystem to build secure, scalable payments infrastructure that supports the region’s rapidly evolving digital economy.”

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority said: “We are pleased to welcome Juspay to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s most significant fintech and financial services ecosystem. As a global leader in payment infrastructure, Juspay’s presence strengthens our growing digital economy, reinforces DIFC’s role as a catalyst for financial innovation and cements Dubai’s position as a top four global FinTech hub.”

With more than a decade of experience in scaling payment infrastructure, Juspay powers 500+ enterprise merchants and banks globally including Agoda, Amazon, Flipkart, Google, HSBC, IndiGo, Swiggy, Urban Company, Zepto & more. It offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions that spans full‑stack payment orchestration, authentication, tokenisation, reconciliation, fraud solutions and more. The company also provides end‑to‑end, white‑label payment gateway and real‑time payments infrastructure tailored for banks. Together these capabilities enable merchants and banks to deliver seamless, reliable and scalable payment experiences to the end‑consumers.

Speaking about Juspay’s regional focus, Nakul Kothari, head of Middle East & APAC said, “By establishing our presence in the Middle East with DIFC, we continue our mission of building innovative payment solutions rooted in deep local market understanding. The region holds tremendous potential, and we are investing in long‑term partnerships with merchants and banks to help them build future‑ready payment stacks that can scale across markets.”

This expansion reflects Juspay’s long‑term vision of enabling open, interoperable, and accessible payments worldwide. With a team of over 1,500 payment experts solving payment complexities across Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, Europe, UK, and North America, Juspay is strategically positioned to reshape the Middle Eastern payments landscape. The company plans to grow its regional team, specifically targeting growth in business development, solution engineering, and partnerships.

About Juspay

Juspay is a leading multinational payments technology company, redefining payments for 500+ top global enterprises and banks. Founded in 2012, the company processes over 300 million daily transactions, exceeding an annualized total payment volume (TPV) of $1 trillion with 99.999% reliability. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Juspay is powered by a global network of 1500+ payment experts operating across San Francisco, Dublin, São Paulo, Dubai, and Singapore.

Juspay offers a comprehensive product suite for merchants that includes open‑source payment orchestration, global payouts, seamless authentication, payment tokenization, fraud & risk management, end‑to‑end reconciliation, unified payment analytics & more. The company’s offerings also include end‑to‑end white label payment gateway solutions & real‑time payments infrastructure for banks. These products help businesses achieve superior conversion rates, reduce fraud, optimize costs, and deliver seamless customer experiences at scale.

To learn more about Juspay, visit: http://www.juspay.io

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 77 countries with an approximate population of 3.7bn and an estimated GDP of USD 10.5trn. With a 20‑year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast‑growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai. DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of 46,000 professionals working across over 6,900 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region. Comprising a variety of world‑renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels, and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought‑after business and lifestyle destinations. For further information, please visit our website: http://difc.ae, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC. 

This article was originally published as Juspay Strengthens Middle East Presence with DIFC Headquarters on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Securitize is piloting a novel real-world asset (RWA) stablecoin that is backed by tokenized private credit assets, marking a notable push to bring regulated, yield-generating assets onto blockchain rails. The initiative unfolds through a collaboration with STBL, Hamilton Lane, and OKX Ventures, aiming to issue the new stablecoin on OKX’s X Layer network. The structure ties the stable unit to tokenized exposure to Hamilton Lane’s Senior Credit Opportunities Fund via a feeder arrangement, while separating the yield generated by the underlying assets from the stablecoin itself. This approach is designed to address regulatory nerves around passive yields while enabling programmable settlement within a regulated, on-chain framework.

The collaboration brings together three pillars: Securitize’s tokenization platform, STBL’s stablecoin infrastructure, and Hamilton Lane’s private credit expertise, with financial backing and strategic input from OKX Ventures. The project envisions a broader ecosystem where institutional private markets can be accessed and managed on-chain, leveraging liquidity and settlement capabilities that are increasingly common in Layer-2 environments. In a Thursday X post, Securitize described the product as an ecosystem-specific stablecoin that will be issued on X Layer and collateralized by tokenized exposure to the Senior Credit Opportunities Fund, arranged through a feeder structure managed by Securitize.

The architecture is designed to keep the stable token distinct from the yields it represents. A dual-token model is central to the design: one token maintains price stability, while a separate mechanism accrues yield from the underlying assets. This separation is meant to respond to regulatory discussions in the United States that have focused on stablecoins that distribute passive returns to holders. By routing yield generation to the collateral layer, the framework aims to preserve the stability function of the token itself while still allowing on-chain access to private-credit yields. In a January 14 post, STBL emphasized that the approach aligns with evolving regulatory expectations of distinguishing stable payment instruments from investment products.

“This initiative brings deep liquidity, programmable settlement, and compliant yield management to the X Layer ecosystem, setting a new standard for how capital flows onchain.”

The project’s emphasis on real-world asset liquidity reflects a broader trend in which on-chain finance seeks greater institutional participation. STBL’s yield architecture is described as a deliberate attempt to sidestep certain regulatory concerns by ensuring the stablecoin is not classified as a yield-bearing instrument. The structure proposes that returns accrue at the collateral layer rather than being paid directly to stablecoin holders, a design choice that market participants hope will ease compliance frictions as digital asset markets mature. STBL’s statements highlight the intent to align with regulators’ expectations that separate the instrument used for payments from the investment or yield-generating activities beneath it.

In explaining the rationale, Securitize noted that tokenization of private credit, when combined with programmable settlement, can unlock a level of on-chain efficiency previously unavailable to traditional markets. The feeder arrangement linked to Hamilton Lane’s Senior Credit Opportunities Fund is intended to provide a robust, diversified exposure to private credit assets, while the on-chain wrapper enables programmable settlement and potentially broader liquidity across the X Layer ecosystem. The executives cited that the arrangement leverages the strength of tokenization and institutional governance structures to bring private markets into the on-chain world.

The collaboration is also positioned within a wider regulatory dialogue around stablecoins. By creating a dual-economy dynamic—one for the stable unit and another for the yield—the parties aim to provide a framework that can be more palatable to policymakers who are wary of passive yield mechanisms. The approach reflects a growing industry push to design financial primitives that preserve the reliability and predictability of stablecoins while still enabling on-chain access to sophisticated yield-generating strategies.

Cointelegraph reached out to OKX Ventures and STBL for comment on the token’s architecture and yield expectations. The public posts from Securitize and STBL on X provide the primary public vantage points for understanding how the feeder structure interacts with Hamilton Lane’s private-credit assets and how the on-chain settlement process is intended to function within the X Layer network. The broader context includes ongoing policy discussions around US market structure and the regulation of stablecoins, including concerns about passive yields on stablecoin holdings.

Related reporting has highlighted ongoing debates about tokenization, on-chain settlement, and regulated approaches to stablecoins, underscoring that the sector is still navigating a complex regulatory landscape. The new framework’s emphasis on separating stable value from yield is a direct response to these discussions, positioning the product as a test case for how regulated tokenization can coexist with the on-chain ecosystem.

The evolving design also aligns with broader efforts to tokenize RWAs and integrate them within regulated digital asset ecosystems. Securitize’s platform, which has logged immense growth in tokenized assets and long-standing relationships with major players in traditional finance, provides a credible basis for such an initiative. The project’s success will hinge on how effectively the feeder structure translates private-credit exposure into reliable on-chain liquidity, how well the dual-token model withstands regulatory scrutiny, and how the X Layer network accommodates scalable, compliant programmable settlement.

As the ecosystem evolves, observers will be watching for how governance and product metrics develop, including yield expectations, liquidity depth, and the ability to maintain stable unit value amid fluctuating demand for private-credit exposure. The collaboration signals a maturing phase in on-chain finance, where institutional players are increasingly willing to explore regulated mechanisms that can deliver both stability and yield through tokenized, on-chain structures.

Sources: OKX Ventures and STBL statements via X posts; Securitize’s official X post; Hamilton Lane’s exposure strategy via the same channels; regulatory discussions surrounding US market structure and stablecoins.

Video and related materials linked to the project are available through the channels referenced in the announcements, including a YouTube video linked in the original content. To review the latest details and context, readers can follow the primary posts on X from Securitize and STBL and the accompanying materials from Hamilton Lane and OKX Ventures.

Market context

Market context: The launch arrives as tokenization of real-world assets gains traction among institutional investors, even as regulators scrutinize stablecoins that distribute passive yields. By combining regulated tokenization, programmable settlement, and a dual-token design, the project seeks to balance on-chain efficiency with strict compliance expectations. The initiative also underscores growing interest in Layer-2 ecosystems like X Layer as venues for institutional-grade liquidity and on-chain settlement that can bridge traditional finance and digital asset markets.

Why it matters

The collaboration represents a notable step in the ongoing integration of real-world assets into on-chain finance. By linking a tokenized private-credit exposure to a stablecoin structure, the project tests whether RWAs can deliver stable value on-chain while preserving the ability to generate yield from traditional asset classes. If successful, this model could unlock new liquidity channels for private credit, potentially expanding the investor base for specialized funds and enabling more dynamic, on-chain risk management tools for institutions.

For builders and investors, the dual-token approach offers a blueprint for designing stablecoins that decouple payments from investment performance. Regulators have shown heightened scrutiny of yield-bearing stablecoins, and this architecture attempts to address those concerns by ensuring that the stable unit maintains price stability independently of the yield generated by the underlying assets. The project highlights how tokenization, governance, and settlement engineering can converge to create on-chain instruments that appeal to both institutional participants and compliant market participants.

From a market perspective, the initiative underscores the importance of liquidity and settlement infrastructure in enabling RWAs to function effectively on-chain. It also points to a broader appetite among market participants for regulated, transparent frameworks that can accommodate complex asset classes while offering the operational advantages of blockchain technology. The success of this approach will influence how other asset managers, custodians, and exchanges approach RWAs and their representation as on-chain instruments.

What to watch next

Timeline and milestones for the stablecoin’s issuance on X Layer, including any feeder-structure milestones and governance changes.

Regulatory updates or formal guidance that clarify how the dual-token model will be treated under US stablecoin and securities rules.

Details on the yield mechanism at the collateral layer, including any performance benchmarks and risk controls for the underlying Senior Credit Opportunities Fund exposure.

Confirmation of liquidity.Depth on X Layer and any listed or cross-chain integrations that expand access to the tokenized private-credit exposure.

Additional announcements from Securitize, STBL, Hamilton Lane, and OKX Ventures detailing product roadmap and potential expansion into other asset classes or funds.

Sources & verification

Official X posts from Securitize describing the ecosystem-specific stablecoin and its feeder structure.

STBL official posts discussing the yield architecture and regulatory alignment for stablecoins.

OKX Ventures statements and materials related to the investment and strategic collaboration.

Hamilton Lane materials outlining the Senior Credit Opportunities Fund exposure used in the feeder arrangement.

Discussion of the US market structure bill’s provisions affecting passive yield on stablecoins and related regulatory debates.

This article was originally published as OKX Ventures Invests in RWA Stablecoin with Securitize, Hamilton Lane on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

The American Bankers Association is pressing the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to slow the wheel on national trust bank charters for crypto and stablecoin firms until key questions around the GENIUS Act, which would reshape U.S. stablecoin regulation, are settled. In a recent comment letter responding to the OCC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on national bank charters, the ABA warned that the sector’s regulatory picture remains fragmented across federal and state authorities. The trade group argued that advancing applications now could leave uninsured, digital-asset‑focused trusts exposed to unresolved safety, operational, and resolution issues, even as the industry connects customer assets to federally chartered platforms.

The ABA’s critique centers on the risk that a patchwork of oversight can create gaps for entities that manage crypto and stablecoins. The letter contends that until forthcoming GENIUS Act rulemakings lay out clear regulatory obligations, it would be prudent for the OCC to pause or slow down approvals. The GENIUS Act, which aims to streamline or redefine how digital assets fit into the U.S. banking framework, has not yet produced a settled regulatory map. Without that clarity, the ABA argues, banks seeking charters could face obligations that are not yet defined, complicating risk management and supervisory expectations for these new structures.

Beyond governance, the association underscored distinct safety and soundness concerns tied to uninsured, digital-asset‑focused national trusts. Chief among them are questions about how customer assets are segregated and protected, potential conflicts of interest, and the cyber safeguards necessary to withstand sophisticated threats. The letter points to the possibility that uninsured digital-asset trusts could be used to sidestep traditional registration and scrutiny by agencies such as the SEC or CFTC when activities would ordinarily trigger securities or derivatives regulation. The overarching worry is that these charters could become a back door to bypass comprehensive, integrated oversight.

The ABA’s stance comes as the OCC has recently moved to greenlight a path for several crypto firms to hold and manage customer digital assets under a federal charter while staying outside the deposit-taking and lending business. In December 2025, the OCC granted conditional national trust bank approvals to five notable players: Bitgo Bank & Trust, Fidelity Digital Assets, Ripple National Trust Bank, First National Digital Currency Bank, and Paxos Trust Company. This sequence—clear progress followed by calls for prudence—has amplified calls from industry observers and policymakers to align new models with robust regulatory guardrails.

As the regulatory dialogue intensifies, the broader banking lobby has amplified its push for Congress to act. Proposals such as the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act have gained attention for attempting to curb the appeal of stablecoin rewards and other yield-bearing programs that could blur the line between traditional banking products and crypto offerings. At the same time, coverage of GENIUS Act proposals has underscored the tension between innovation and prudential supervision. The industry’s worry is that without a unified framework, chartered entities could be forced into a regulatory limbo where consumer protection and financial stability are not fully safeguarded.

While the ABA’s letter emphasizes caution, the OCC’s recent actions reflect a different facet of the ongoing balancing act: enabling regulated access to digital assets under a federal charter while attempting to avoid the full deposit-taking framework. The OCC’s stance has drawn support from some voices within the crypto sector who argue for clear, uniform standards that would prevent a fragmented patchwork of state-by-state approaches. The debate also intersects with ongoing discussions about how to treat banks and crypto similarly or differently, a point highlighted by industry and regulatory leaders alike. A separate OCC statement and related commentary have argued that there is no justification to treat banks and crypto differently; the underlying question remains how to translate those principles into enforceable, uniform rules across multiple agencies.

​Warning after new crypto trust charters

The timing of the ABA’s intervention is notable: it follows the OCC’s conditional approvals announced earlier in December 2025 that would allow these firms to hold and manage customer digital assets under a federal umbrella while remaining out of the deposit-taking and lending business. The OCC described these structures as national trusts designed to segregate digital assets and provide custody capabilities without converting to traditional banking operations. The five charter recipients—Bitgo Bank & Trust, Fidelity Digital Assets, Ripple National Trust Bank, First National Digital Currency Bank, and Paxos Trust Company—represent a cross-section of the market and reflect a broader appetite to experiment with federal oversight in the crypto custody space. The OCC’s action signals a potential pathway for regulated custody of digital assets, even as lawmakers and industry groups push for clarifying legislation and more precise supervisory expectations.

The push for governance clarity is not happening in a vacuum. Industry participants and lawmakers alike have been weighing proposals like GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, which seek to define the boundaries of crypto activities within the traditional banking regime and curb practices that could be mischaracterized as bank-like products without full bank regulation. The evolving regulatory mosaic poses a dilemma for firms seeking charters: how to align innovative custody models with a robust, predictable framework that ensures customer protection and systemic stability—without dampening the competitiveness and speed of financial-technology innovation.

As regulatory scoping continues to evolve, observers note that the OCC’s framework for conditional approvals to national trust charters could have meaningful implications for market structure, consumer safeguards, and the scope of permissible activities for non-deposit-taking digital asset custodians. The tension between fostering innovation and ensuring a resilient financial system remains at the heart of the debate. Several pieces of legislation and policy proposals that would influence this trajectory are already in circulation, reinforcing the sense that 2026 could be a critical year for how crypto custody and stablecoins are governed at the federal level.

Why it matters

For investors, the ongoing regulatory clarifications affect risk assessment and the perceived legitimacy of crypto custody solutions. A formal, well-defined regulatory framework could reduce ambiguity around the protections afforded to customer assets held by uninsured digital-asset trusts and influence risk pricing for associated products. For builders and operators, clear rules can help map out feasible business models that align with capital, governance, and risk-management expectations. And for policymakers, the interplay between GENIUS Act provisions, banking supervision, and securities/derivatives regulation underscores a key objective: ensuring that innovation remains aligned with financial stability and consumer protection.

From a market structure perspective, the debate highlights how custody and settlement infrastructures could evolve under federal oversight. If the OCC’s conditional trust charters become a common feature, watchers will be looking for transparency around capital requirements, resilience standards, and the safeguards that would prevent consumer confusion—especially around institutions that use “bank” in their names for branding purposes despite not engaging in traditional banking activities. The industry’s insistence on naming rules reflects a broader concern about trust and clarity in a landscape where digital assets can be held by entities operating under a federal umbrella but without full deposit-taking powers.

Meanwhile, the GENIUS Act and related proposals continue to shape the policy dialogue on stablecoins and digital assets within the U.S. financial system. As the regulatory math evolves, the market will be watching how agencies interpret and implement these concepts in real-world chartering decisions. The balancing act remains: enable responsible innovation in custody and settlement while preserving a robust, transparent, and enforceable supervisory regime that protects consumers and maintains market integrity.

What to watch next

OCC’s formal response to the ABA comment letter and any adjustments to the proposed rulemaking timeline.

Developments in GENIUS Act rulemaking and any accompanying guidance that clarifies obligations for crypto custody under national bank charters.

Details on the five crypto firms granted conditional national trust charters, including milestones for capital, risk controls, and asset segregation.

Legislative progress on the CLARITY Act and related measures that would influence stablecoin governance and disclosure requirements.

Sources & verification

The ABA letter to the OCC regarding national bank chartering (PDF).

OCC press release: conditional national trust bank approvals for Bitgo Bank & Trust, Fidelity Digital Assets, Ripple National Trust Bank, First National Digital Currency Bank, and Paxos Trust Company (nr-occ-2025-125.html).

OCC updates on GENIUS Act-related rulemaking and related policy discussions cited in industry coverage.

Cointelegraph reporting on the OCC’s stance toward treating banks and crypto equally and the broader lobbying around the GENIUS Act and related reforms.

What the ABA letter says, in context

The ABA’s position centers on prudence and transparency. The association argues that the OCC should resist rushing charter approvals for entities handling uninsured customer funds in crypto and stablecoin operations until the GENIUS Act rulemakings are fully defined and integrated into a coherent supervisory framework. It emphasizes that without a clear, comprehensive set of obligations, chartered entities could encounter undefined capital, operational resilience, and customer-protection standards. The letter calls for greater clarity on how capital and resilience benchmarks will be calibrated in conditional approvals and presses for tighter naming rules to prevent consumer confusion when entities use “bank” in their branding, despite not engaging in traditional banking activities. The overarching theme is to align innovation with robust safeguards and to keep deposit-empowered banks as the reference point for consumer protections and risk management.

Key figures and next steps

As the regulatory conversation continues, observers will be watching a trio of developments: the OCC’s formal responses to stakeholder comments, the progression of GENIUS Act rulemaking, and the practical implications of the five conditional charter approvals already granted. The dialogue around whether banks and crypto should be treated differently is likely to persist, but the current emphasis appears to be on ensuring that any new chartering framework provides explicit obligations and strong oversight. With policy and industry stakeholders navigating these questions, the coming months could define how crypto custody, stablecoin issuance, and related digital-asset activities are integrated into the U.S. banking system on a long-term, predictable basis.

This article was originally published as Banks push OCC to curb crypto trust charters until GENIUS rules clear on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) treasury company Strategy will lean more heavily on its perpetual preferred stock program to finance additional Bitcoin purchases, moving away from a reliance on issuing common stock. CEO Phong Le outlined the pivot during Bloomberg’s The Close, explaining that the company intends to shift from equity capital to preferred capital as a core funding channel. The move centers on Stretch (STRC), Strategy’s perpetual preferred offering launched in July, which targets investors seeking steadier returns through an annual dividend north of 11%. The instrument has been positioned as an alternative to diluting the company’s stock while it continues to amass BTC holdings. The development comes as Strategy eyes a broader rollout of STRC later in the year, signaling a potential shift in how corporate treasuries wield equity-like instruments to grow crypto reserves.

Le emphasized that the preferred stock will “take some seasoning” and marketing before traders fully embrace the product, but he remained upbeat about STRC’s trajectory. He told The Close that, in the course of this year, Stretch could become a cornerstone offering for Strategy as it seeks to fund further Bitcoin acquisitions. The company’s financing strategy has repeatedly leaned on STRC to finance BTC purchases since its inception, providing a mechanism to accumulate digital assets without triggering immediate dilution of common equity. The approach is part of a broader class of crypto treasuries that use perpetual preferreds to balance income generation with asset accumulation.

STRC, which was introduced to market as Strategy’s fourth perpetual preferred instrument, was explicitly designed to appeal to buyers seeking long-term stability. It carries an annual dividend and is marketed as a capital-structure play rather than a plain equity raise. The instrument’s structure aims to deliver predictable income while enabling Strategy to keep building its Bitcoin stack. The narrative around STRC has fed into a wider discussion about how corporate treasuries are managing liquidity, risk, and exposure to crypto markets without immediately triggering shareholder dilution. Critics, however, have warned that the space has grown crowded and that some companies’ holdings now exceed their market capitalization, raising questions about concentration risk and governance.

Strategy could restart offerings as STRC hits $100

In late trading, STRC regained its par value of $100 for the first time since mid-January, a development Le described as the “story of the day.” The move back to par could unlock renewed appetite for STRC issuances, potentially enabling Strategy to fund additional Bitcoin purchases without issuing new common shares. Earlier this month, the stock traded under $94 when Bitcoin briefly slid below $60,000, underscoring how BTC price dynamics can influence the attractiveness of STRC as a funding mechanism. With Bitcoin trading roughly around $66,800, the market environment remains relatively constructive for asset accumulation through alternative financing vehicles, even as volatility lingers on near-term horizons.

Bitcoin’s price trajectory has been steady but not spectacular in the immediate term, hovering around the mid-$66,000s after peaking above $68,000 intraday. The price backdrop supports narratives that corporate treasuries can pursue more disciplined, income-generating avenues for finance, while still chasing the long-term upside of BTC exposure. The evolving dynamics around STRC and similar instruments come as crypto returns and risk sentiment influence decisions across corporate balance sheets, with issuers seeking to optimize cost of capital and dilution concerns in parallel.

Buying Bitcoin treasury rivals a “distraction”

Analysts have cautioned that the crypto treasury space is becoming crowded as several firms vie for a relatively small pool of traders and investors. In a crowded market, some observers warn that corporate treasuries could face diminishing marginal value as more players announce similar funding structures. The fragmentation raises questions about price discovery, liquidity, and the true strategic value of perpetual preferreds in maintaining BTC accumulation over the long run.

Related: Saylor’s Strategy buys $90M in Bitcoin as price trades below cost basis

Beyond pure competition concerns, Le dismissed the notion that Strategy would pursue aggressive consolidation through acquisitions of underperforming peers. He argued that focusing on the core STRC product is preferable to pursuing opportunistic takeovers, likening the approach to other technology or finance markets where companies emphasize product development over opportunistic acquisitions. “In any new market, whether it be electric cars or AI or SaaS software, you want to focus on your core product,” Le said. “It would be a distraction to go buy, at a discount to net asset value, another digital asset treasury company.”

As the wider market digests these developments, Strategy’s stock, traded as MSTR, closed down more than 5% at $126.14, reflecting a sentiment that remains cautious in the near term even as STRC gains traction. The price action underscores the delicate balance investors weigh between funded BTC accumulation and the potential dilution risk associated with new equity or preferred stock offerings. The discussion around STRC also feeds into broader debates about how corporate treasuries manage risk, yield, and the opportunity cost of capital when BTC becomes a strategic asset rather than a speculative instrument.

To contextualize the conversation, industry observers have pointed to a broader trend: as more companies adopt crypto treasuries, the market could see consolidation through mergers and acquisitions or more aggressive share-issuing strategies when faced with capital needs. Yet Strategy’s leadership seems intent on refining its preferred-stock route rather than chasing rapid expansion through bolder balance-sheet moves. The decision to prioritize a steady, dividend-bearing instrument aligns with a philosophy of measured growth and risk control, even as BTC remains a volatile, high-beta asset that can swing strategic outcomes in a single trading session.

In parallel, the crypto treasury sector has become a focal point for investors seeking visibility into how corporate treasuries navigate liquidity, risk, and regulatory constraints. Analysts suggest that while the category has matured in some respects, it remains a moving target shaped by Bitcoin’s price action, macroeconomic conditions, and evolving market structure. The emergence of streaming discussions around STRC and similar products indicates a willingness among issuers to experiment with bespoke capital-structure solutions as legitimate means of funding crypto purchases. The question remains: how durable will these instruments prove in different market regimes, and will investor demand stabilize as more issuers publish performance data and governance disclosures?

Why it matters

For investors, Strategy’s pivot toward preferred stock as a primary funding mechanism highlights a shift in how crypto treasuries can balance income with exposure to Bitcoin outright. The STRC instrument promises yield and stability, potentially reducing the pressure to issue more common stock and mitigate dilution. If STRC continues to perform and attract sufficient investor interest, Strategy could emerge as a case study for how treasuries combine traditional fixed-income features with crypto exposure to create a hybrid financing model.

From a market perspective, the development reinforces the idea that institutional players are increasingly treating BTC as a fundamental corporate asset rather than a speculative risk. The use of perpetual preferreds could provide a template for other issuers seeking to augment BTC reserves without triggering immediate equity dilution. Yet the crowded nature of the space also invites closer scrutiny of governance, risk management, and the alignment of incentives between a company’s treasury activities and shareholder interests. The balance between discipline in funding and the pursuit of BTC upside remains a central tension, one that Strategy appears intent on navigating with caution and clarity.

For builders and researchers, the case raises questions about the transparency of crypto-treasury deals, the long-term performance of perpetual preferreds in crypto contexts, and how such instruments should be regulated as they gain traction in mainstream finance. The evolving narrative around STRC and related products could influence product design, disclosure standards, and investor education as more firms explore innovative capital-structure solutions to support digital-asset accumulation.

What to watch next

Progress in STRC marketing and adoption, including any new issuances or marketing milestones (dates to watch).

Bitcoin price movements and any corresponding shifts in Strategy’s BTC purchase cadence or balance-sheet disclosures.

Regulatory developments affecting corporate crypto treasuries and preferred-stock financings.

Q3 and Q4 earnings context for Strategy (or related entities) that could reflect changes in capital-raising strategies.

Market sentiment indicators for crypto treasuries, including liquidity and trading volumes for perpetual-preferred products.

Sources & verification

Bloomberg – Phong Le interview on The Close discussing Strategy’s move from equity capital to preferred capital and STRC’s role (YouTube link provided in original coverage).

Cointelegraph – Strategy raises $2B in preferred stock to back Bitcoin purchases (article detailing STRC launch and purpose).

Cointelegraph – Why Saylor’s Strategy keeps buying Bitcoin: Long-term investment rationale and treasury approach.

Cointelegraph – Saylor/Strategy buys $90M in Bitcoin as price trades below cost basis (context on BTC purchases and treasury activity).

Cointelegraph – Crypto treasury more merger/acquisition cycle mature (analysis of competitive dynamics in the treasury space).

What to watch next

Market development and official disclosures in the coming quarters will be critical to assess STRC’s effectiveness as a funding tool and Strategy’s broader strategy for growing its BTC holdings through preferred-stock issuances.

This article was originally published as Strategy CEO Seeks More Preferred Stock to Fund Bitcoin Buys on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, recently addressed the ongoing turbulence in the cryptocurrency market, emphasizing XRP’s importance to the company’s future. During his appearance on X Spaces, Garlinghouse reassured the community that XRP remains central to Ripple’s operations. Despite the market’s struggles, Ripple is focused on long-term goals that center around the utility and liquidity of XRP and the XRP Ledger.

XRP is the “North Star” for Ripple

@BradGarlinghouse highlights how Ripple Payments, Ripple Prime, & Ripple Treasury all drive utility & liquidity around $XRP. pic.twitter.com/g9xlCPpToy

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) February 11, 2026

Garlinghouse explained that XRP continues to be the company’s guiding principle, described as its “North Star.” He pointed out that Ripple’s various products, including Ripple Payments, Ripple Prime, and Ripple Treasury, all aim to increase XRP’s utility. The goal, he noted, is to build trust around XRP, which remains the “heartbeat” of Ripple’s financial infrastructure.

Ripple’s focus on XRP is evident in the company’s aggressive strategies. These efforts include expanding its services in traditional finance while working to build cross-sector solutions for both crypto and traditional financial systems. This strategy aligns with Garlinghouse’s belief that XRP plays a crucial role in shaping the future of financial systems globally.

Ripple Takes an Offensive Approach Amid Market Drawdown

Garlinghouse acknowledged the recent market downturn, which he described as a “bloodbath.” Despite the setback, he suggested that the current conditions could offer an opportunity for investors to enter the market. His view echoes the sentiment that periods of fear can present valuable buying chances for those willing to take risks.

He noted that, while the crypto market is facing significant challenges, XRP has remained resilient. Since November 2024, XRP has been one of the top performers in the market, contrasting with Bitcoin’s relatively flat performance. This positive outlook highlights the coin’s strength and Ripple’s commitment to its long-term vision despite market fluctuations.

Ripple’s Focus on Expansion and Strategic Acquisitions

After years of navigating regulatory challenges, Ripple is now focusing on aggressive acquisitions to accelerate its growth. Garlinghouse described this shift as a crucial move to position Ripple for future success. The company is working hard to recover time lost due to past delays and to maintain its momentum in 2026.

Ripple’s acquisition strategy aims to expand its reach beyond the cryptocurrency community and into traditional finance. By blending both sectors, the company aims to bridge gaps and create solutions that benefit both crypto and conventional financial institutions. This dual focus positions Ripple for broader success as the company prepares to make an even stronger impact in 2026.

Ripple’s approach, according to Garlinghouse, will allow the company to forge new paths in the crypto space while securing XRP’s dominance in the global financial ecosystem. With its aggressive acquisition strategy and renewed focus, Ripple is set to continue pushing forward into 2026, determined to shape the future of finance.

This article was originally published as Ripple CEO Garlinghouse Reassures XRP Community Amid Market Struggles on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Robinhood has launched the public testnet for Robinhood Chain, marking a significant step in its blockchain ambitions. This Ethereum Layer-2 network aims to expand the company’s on-chain financial services. The move is part of Robinhood’s broader strategy to build its own blockchain infrastructure and bring tokenized assets and 24/7 trading to its platform.

The public testnet allows developers to test and evaluate applications on the network before its full launch. With the testnet in place, Robinhood aims to create a robust ecosystem for tokenized real-world and digital assets. In addition, the platform plans to integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem.

While this testnet launch marks an important milestone, Robinhood’s stock price has faced a downturn. Despite the promising developments, HOOD stock has dropped by 8.8%, trading at $78.09. The price drop follows a broader decline in stock value, particularly over the past few days.

Expanding Blockchain Infrastructure

Robinhood’s testnet launch signals its broader push into blockchain and decentralized finance. The Ethereum Layer-2 network is not only designed to improve scalability but also to rebuild Robinhood’s existing infrastructure. This focus on enhancing its systems is intended to integrate tokenized assets and DeFi features seamlessly into its platform.

In a statement, Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Crypto and International at Robinhood, highlighted the company’s goal. He emphasized that the blockchain initiative is not just about scaling, but about transforming Robinhood’s core systems. The launch of Robinhood Chain is a crucial step in the company’s vision to establish its blockchain infrastructure.

The company expects that this infrastructure will create opportunities for developers to build innovative applications. With the Ethereum Layer-2 network, developers will be able to access the tools needed to bring their applications to life. The initiative aims to foster an ecosystem that will drive the future of tokenized financial services.

Revenue Declines and Market Reaction

Despite the excitement surrounding the testnet launch, Robinhood’s recent quarterly performance has raised concerns. The company reported Q4 revenue of $1.28 billion, falling short of expectations. This revenue miss came after the company had projected $1.35 billion in earnings for the quarter.

Additionally, Robinhood’s crypto transaction revenue also saw a decline, dropping to $221 million from $268 million in the previous quarter. This decrease in crypto-related revenue may have contributed to the negative market reaction. Despite these setbacks, the company remains committed to its blockchain plans and is pushing forward with its blockchain-based services.

The dip in stock price, combined with a decline in crypto transaction revenue, has raised questions about the company’s financial stability. However, Robinhood’s focus on its blockchain infrastructure could position it for long-term growth. The testnet launch is just the first step in a larger strategy to transform its platform and provide more advanced services to its users.

Integration with Key Blockchain Partners

Robinhood is partnering with several prominent blockchain infrastructure providers to integrate into the Robinhood Chain ecosystem. Companies like Alchemy, Allium, Chainlink, LayerZero, and TRM are among the first to join the initiative. These partnerships are expected to help strengthen the technical foundation of the network and expand its capabilities.

As Robinhood continues to develop its blockchain infrastructure, more partnerships will likely emerge. These collaborations will provide additional resources and tools to enhance the platform’s functionality. The involvement of established players in the blockchain space underscores the importance of Robinhood’s move into this new area.

The partnerships also signal Robinhood’s intention to build a robust ecosystem that can support a variety of applications. By integrating blockchain technology and decentralized finance liquidity, Robinhood aims to redefine financial services. The testnet launch marks the beginning of a larger effort to create a comprehensive blockchain platform that will serve the company’s growing user base.

Future Prospects of Robinhood Chain

The launch of the public testnet for Robinhood Chain is just the beginning of the company’s long-term blockchain strategy. The platform aims to bring tokenized real-world assets and DeFi services to its users. Over time, Robinhood plans to scale the network and introduce more advanced features that will transform its financial services.

With the support of key blockchain infrastructure providers, Robinhood is well-positioned to establish itself as a leader in the blockchain space. As the company continues to develop Robinhood Chain, it will likely attract more developers and businesses to the ecosystem. The future of Robinhood’s blockchain ambitions looks promising, as it seeks to disrupt traditional financial systems with its innovative approach.

While the road ahead may be challenging, Robinhood’s commitment to blockchain technology could lead to a transformative shift in the financial sector. The launch of Robinhood Chain represents a bold move to redefine how financial services are delivered and consumed. With a strong focus on tokenization and decentralized finance, Robinhood aims to lead the way in the next generation of financial technology.

This article was originally published as Robinhood Launches Ethereum Layer-2 Testnet, Expands Blockchain Vision on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

BlackRock has taken a significant step into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) by bringing its $2.1 billion tokenized Treasury fund to Uniswap. This move marks the asset management giant’s first formal engagement with DeFi and offers institutions new avenues for on-chain investment. The announcement solidifies BlackRock’s growing interest in digital assets and blockchain technology.

The launch of BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) will enable institutional clients to trade tokenized securities on the Uniswap decentralized exchange. The fund’s listing represents a broader push to expand institutional access to the growing DeFi space. This venture also includes BlackRock acquiring an undisclosed amount of Uniswap’s governance token, UNI.

The listing will initially be available to a select group of institutional investors and market makers. As a part of the collaboration, Securitize, a tokenization company, facilitated the launch of BUIDL. The cooperation between Securitize and BlackRock strengthens the legitimacy of tokenized assets as viable investment products.

Tokenization Boosts DeFi and Institutional Access

Tokenized assets have seen increasing popularity as they allow real-world assets to be traded on blockchain networks. BlackRock’s foray into DeFi with BUIDL aims to provide institutions with access to tokenized money markets. These assets, backed by US Treasury securities, are designed to offer liquidity, security, and yield to investors.

Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo noted the importance of providing institutions with self-custody tools to trade tokenized real-world assets. He emphasized that this new product gives investors the flexibility to interact with decentralized finance while maintaining traditional investment characteristics. BUIDL is now the largest tokenized money market fund, with over $2.1 billion in total assets across multiple blockchains.

BUIDL is not the only fund seeking to expand access to tokenized money markets. Other major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon have entered the tokenization space, signaling wider industry acceptance. BlackRock’s partnership with Uniswap and Securitize further highlights the momentum behind blockchain technology in traditional finance.

Implications of Wall Street’s Adoption of Tokenized Assets

The rise of tokenized assets has been partly driven by the growing adoption of stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure. Financial institutions see tokenization as a way to adapt to shifting market dynamics, especially as stablecoin usage continues to rise. JPMorgan analysts have pointed out that tokenized money market funds could offer a counterbalance to the increasing use of stablecoins in the broader economy.

Tokenization could play a crucial role in mitigating potential liquidity shifts caused by the rapid expansion of stablecoins. According to JPMorgan strategist Teresa Ho, tokenized funds offer investors a way to post money market fund shares as collateral without losing yield. This feature could provide a valuable hedge against the growing dominance of stablecoins.

The regulatory landscape also plays a critical role in shaping the future of tokenized real-world assets. With the GENIUS Act expected to influence the stablecoin market, clearer regulations could encourage further adoption of blockchain technology. Solomon Tesfaye of Aptos Labs believes that stablecoin regulations may accelerate broader adoption of on-chain assets like tokenized money market funds.

This article was originally published as BlackRock Brings $2.1B Tokenized Treasury Fund to Uniswap for DeFi on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, is at the center of a high-stakes regulatory clash as Moscow pushes a domestic alternative and tightens control over digital communication. In recent days, the company publicly accused the Russian government of attempting to block access for millions of users to steer them toward a state-owned substitute. The dispute unfolds as Russia advances a homegrown platform, Max, developed by VK, and seeks to entrench it as the official backbone for private messaging inside the country. The government’s aim is amplified by directives to pre-install Max on all smartphones sold in Russia, a move scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, and by a broader push to curb reliance on Western platforms amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Key takeaways

WhatsApp alleges Russia is attempting to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication, describing the move as a setback to digital safety.

Max, announced by VK and described as a state-backed alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram, began rolling out in March 2025 and is being mandated for pre-installation on new devices starting Sept. 1.

Backlinko estimates Russia hosts about 72 million active monthly WhatsApp users, placing the country among the top markets for the app outside the usual leaders.

Russian authorities have signaled that unblocking WhatsApp would require compliance with local laws and a willingness to negotiate, signaling a potential but uncertain path to access restoration.

Beyond Russia, authorities in other countries have intermittently restricted messaging services during periods of conflict or political upheaval, highlighting a broader trend in digital sovereignty and governance.

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The episode sits at the intersection of tech policy and geopolitical risk, illustrating how regulatory actions aimed at domestic control of communications can ripple through the broader digital ecosystem, including networks that crypto services rely on for open, cross-border activity. It underscores a growing attention to data localization, interoperability, and platform sovereignty that could influence global tech and financial ecosystems.

Why it matters

The confrontation between WhatsApp and Russia’s state-backed messaging initiative underscores a fundamental tension between user safety, privacy, and state interests. By introducing Max as a domestically controlled alternative, Moscow is signaling that access to private communication platforms is not simply a consumer choice but a matter of national policy. The move could reshape how Russians communicate, store sensitive information, and interact with businesses, while also raising questions about data localization, resilience, and security in a landscape where private messaging has become a critical utility for personal and professional life.

For international platforms, the Russian example highlights the costs and friction of compliance in a regulated environment that prizes sovereign control over digital infrastructure. The push to pre-install Max on all devices introduces a form of interoperability risk and raises concerns about interoperability with foreign networks, encryption standards, and user consent. Companies that operate across borders must navigate a patchwork of rules, sometimes in real time, which can affect everything from customer support to data flows and incident response protocols. The situation also hints at potential regulatory spillovers to adjacent technologies, including decentralized and cross-border services that crypto projects rely on to maintain open access and censorship resistance.

From a safety and governance perspective, the Russian case illustrates why policymakers abroad are investing in formal mechanisms to manage online communications. The tension between allowing free, secure messaging and enforcing content or data requests from law enforcement creates a persistent policy dilemma. In markets where crypto and blockchain technologies are gaining traction, observers will be watching to see how such regulatory dynamics influence the development of compliant, privacy-preserving communication tools and infrastructure that can withstand political pressure while preserving user trust.

The broader pattern is not limited to Russia. Reports from other countries describe a spectrum of actions—from partial restrictions to complete takedown attempts—that governments have employed during moments of political contention. The dialogue around messaging sovereignty compounds existing concerns about censorship, access to information, and digital rights. For users, this can mean unpredictability in service availability, the need for alternative channels, or the adoption of independent or decentralized messaging solutions as a hedge against outages or coercive controls.

On the technical front, the unfolding dynamic may accelerate innovation in how platforms approach data localization, compliance tooling, and cross-border interoperability. It also raises practical questions for developers, such as how to design communication apps that can operate seamlessly across multiple legal regimes without compromising user safety or security. While the immediate focus is regional, the implications reverberate through any ecosystem that depends on reliable, private messaging as a backbone for collaboration, financial transactions, or sensitive communications—an area where crypto communities have long stressed the importance of resilient, permissionless networks even as regulators seek to impose order and accountability.

What to watch next

Sept. 1, 2025 — Russia’s mandatory pre-installation of Max on all smartphones takes effect, elevating the platform’s installed base and potentially altering user behavior during the ongoing policy debate.

End of 2026 — Official signals from Moscow suggest a possible complete blocking of WhatsApp if compliance with national laws does not align with the state’s terms.

February 2026 — Public commentary and further reporting on whether WhatsApp remains accessible or experiences domain-level restrictions within Russia, including official statements from the presidential administration or regulatory bodies.

Regulatory actions and negotiations — Any new statements from Russia’s negotiation channels or law-enforcement agencies that clarify the conditions under which foreign messaging services could regain access or be forced to alter operational practices.

Comparative developments — Monitoring similar moves in other jurisdictions to assess how messaging sovereignty affects global platforms, user experience, and cross-border data flows.

Sources & verification

Gazeta.ru: Russia reports that WhatsApp’s domain had been blocked and would require VPN or similar workaround to access. https://www.gazeta.ru/tech/news/2026/02/11/27830761.shtml

TASS: Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented that unblocking WhatsApp would require the app to follow Russian laws and engage in negotiations. https://www.gazeta.ru/tech/news/2026/02/12/27832279.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com&utm_auth=false

Backlinko: Estimates of Russia’s active WhatsApp user base, highlighting a sizable market. https://backlinko.com/whatsapp-users

WhatsApp on X: Official status update from the messaging platform regarding Russia’s access measures. https://x.com/WhatsApp/status/2021749165835829485?s=20

Related coverage and context: Afghanistan internet outage and blockchain decentralization discussion. https://cointelegraph.com/news/afghanistan-internet-outage-blockchain-centralized-web

Digital friction in Russia’s messaging ecosystem: implications for users and global platforms

The dispute over WhatsApp and the push for a state-backed alternative in Russia crystallizes how policy choices can redefine the digital landscape that users rely on every day. The government’s insistence on pre-installation and on maintaining control over messaging channels is rooted in a broader imperative to keep communications within national boundaries, a stance that has long resonated with policymakers across different regions and sectors, including finance and crypto. While the immediate stakes involve access to a popular app and the safety of private conversations, the longer arc concerns how digital infrastructure is governed, who bears responsibility for safeguarding data, and how open networks can survive attempts at centralization.

For users in Russia, the outcome may hinge on a balance between safety assurances and the practicality of maintaining private, secure conversations in a domestic environment. The presence of a government-backed platform could improve certain regulatory alignments but might also introduce new layers of surveillance or compliance expectations. In contrast, WhatsApp’s contention that the move would “isolate over 100 million users” emphasizes concerns about user autonomy and the resilience of cross-border communication in the face of coercive policy changes. The debate has implications that extend beyond messaging to how crypto ecosystems—built on permissionless networks that assume open access—are perceived when governments seek to exert tighter control over digital channels and data flows.

From a business and innovation standpoint, the Max initiative raises questions about interoperability and the economics of protocol choices in a regulatory environment. Domestic platforms can attract usage through convenience and policy compliance, but they may also risk fragmentation, reduced interoperability with global services, and increased costs for developers who must adapt to multiple rule sets. For the broader tech community, the gambit signals a need to design systems and user experiences that maintain robust privacy protections while meeting diverse regulatory requirements. The lessons learned from Russia’s approach could influence the development of new messaging tools, privacy-preserving features, and strategies to ensure user safety without sacrificing openness—an objective that remains central to many crypto advocates who champion secure, censorship-resistant networks.

Ultimately, the case highlights how control over digital communications remains a strategic frontier for governments and tech firms alike. It also serves as a reminder for users and investors to monitor regulatory trajectories and policy signals, as these can have spillover effects on adjacent sectors that depend on stable, accessible online infrastructure. Whether by design or accident, policy choices in one major market can catalyze shifts in how people communicate, how services are delivered, and how new technologies—such as decentralized tools or crypto-enabled platforms—are perceived and adopted in the years ahead.

What to watch next

Sept. 1, 2025 — Max becomes the default pre-installed option on new smartphones in Russia, solidifying its installed base.

End-2026 — Official statements or regulatory actions that could signal a complete blocking of WhatsApp if compliance terms are not met.

February 2026 — Ongoing reporting on access to WhatsApp in Russia, including potential official clarifications or statements from Moscow.

Regulatory updates — Any new measures that define how foreign messaging platforms must operate within Russia’s legal framework.

This article was originally published as Russia Blocks WhatsApp to Push Surveillance App, Company Claims on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

In a high‑profile enforcement action, Paxful, the peer‑to‑peer crypto exchange, was ordered to pay $4 million after admitting it knowingly profited from criminals who used its platform due to lax anti‑money laundering controls. The Department of Justice outlined that Paxful pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to promote illegal prostitution and knowingly transmitting funds derived from crime, in violation of federal AML requirements. The government also detailed that, between January 2017 and September 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26 million trades valued at nearly $3 billion, earning about $29.7 million in revenue while turning a blind eye to illicit activity. The case centers on how a platform marketed itself as a lenient, low‑information exchange while neglecting core safeguards. The DOJ’s filing underscores that Paxful’s business model depended on attracting criminal users by downplaying compliance obligations.

The Justice Department highlighted that Paxful had agreed the appropriate criminal penalty would be $112.5 million, but prosecutors determined the company could not pay more than $4 million. The settlement reflects a broader push by federal authorities to curb crypto platforms that fail to implement or enforce anti‑money laundering measures, particularly when they facilitate illegal activities such as fraud, extortion, prostitution, and trafficking. The department said Paxful profited from moving money for criminals it attracted with the promise of minimal compliance, a dynamic prosecutors described as corrosive to legitimate finance and to users seeking lawful services.

The case traces to Paxful’s ambitious growth period from 2017 through 2019, when the platform reportedly handled tens of millions of trades and generated substantial revenue despite warnings from investigators about AML gaps. Prosecutors maintained that Paxful’s marketing messaging, which emphasized a lack of required customer information, paired with policies it knew were not implemented or enforced, created a permissive environment for illicit actors. The backers of the case say this approach allowed criminal actors to route funds through Paxful more readily than through regulated channels.

The Justice Department’s description of Paxful’s operational ethos is complemented by a notable cross‑industry connection: the crypto platform had ties to Backpage and a similar site during a period spanning 2015 to 2022, a relationship the government says contributed to Paxful’s profits, estimated at about $2.7 million. While Backpage’s platform was shut down due to illegal activities, the Paxful alliance is cited as a concrete example of how illicit networks exploited crypto rails to monetize wrongdoing. The department noted that Paxful’s founders publicly boasted about the “Backpage Effect,” portraying the collaboration as a catalyst for growth, a claim the government used to illustrate a deliberate strategy of enabling criminal transactions.

The case also sheds light on Paxful’s eventual exit from the market. The exchange halted operations in November, and its October closure‑announcement post—later archived—depicted the decision as a response to “the lasting impact of historic misconduct by former co‑founders Ray Youssef and Artur Schaback prior to 2023, combined with unsustainable operational costs from extensive compliance remediation efforts.” Youssef publicly countered the timing of the closure, suggesting the firm should have closed when he left the company. Meanwhile, Schaback, Paxful’s former chief technology officer, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to conspiring to fail to maintain an effective AML program and awaits sentencing, with a California judge moving his hearing from January to May to accommodate ongoing cooperation with authorities. The DOJ’s account makes clear that a broader reckoning—beyond Paxful’s leadership—extends into the company’s users, employees, and the broader crypto ecosystem.

As authorities pursued the case, officials emphasized that the Paxful matter is not an isolated incident but part of a wider effort to tighten regulatory expectations on crypto marketplaces. The department pointed to the need for robust know‑your‑customer checks, comprehensive AML compliance programs, and proactive monitoring of suspicious activity to deter illicit uses of digital assets. The implications extend to other platforms that operate in the same space, signaling that permissive, low‑oversight models will attract intensified scrutiny from federal law enforcement and regulators.

Key takeaways

Paxful received a $4 million criminal penalty after pleading guilty to conspiracy related to illegal activities and AML violations, with prosecutors noting a potential maximum penalty of $112.5 million.

From 2017 through 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26 million trades valued at nearly $3 billion and amassed around $29.7 million in revenue, according to DOJ filings.

The DOJ characterizes Paxful as profiting from enabling criminals by downplaying AML controls and failing to comply with applicable money‑laundering laws.

Prosecutors linked Paxful to illicit revenue streams via partnerships with Backpage and similar platforms, describing profits of about $2.7 million tied to those connections.

The company shut down operations in November, citing historic misconduct by former co‑founders and the costs of compliance remediation, with ongoing legal actions surrounding Schaback’s case and the broader investigation.

The case illustrates how enforcement agencies are escalating scrutiny of crypto marketplaces that permit lax due‑diligence and high‑risk activity, reinforcing expectations for AML programs across the sector.

Sentiment: Bearish

Market context: The Paxful action aligns with a broader tightening of crypto‑AML standards as regulators seek to normalize compliance expectations across peer‑to‑peer platforms, exchanges, and other digital asset services, influencing liquidity, risk sentiment, and enforcement tempo across the industry.

Why it matters

The DOJ’s settlement with Paxful underscores a pivotal moment for the crypto‑platform landscape. For users, it signals that providers must demonstrate verifiable diligence in their AML programs or face tangible penalties and reputational damage. For operators, the case reinforces the need to align platform design, user onboarding, and transaction monitoring with established legal requirements rather than relying on marketing narratives about anonymity or minimal information. The development also matters for builders and policymakers. It highlights the costs of lax controls and the potential for illicit activity to undermine trust in decentralized finance ecosystems, prompting crypto firms to invest more heavily in compliance technology, real‑time surveillance, and robust governance frameworks.

From an investor perspective, enforcement actions like this can influence risk pricing and funding cycles for crypto platforms, particularly those with international user bases or complex payment rails. The Paxful narrative—centered on public statements by founders, internal policy gaps, and late‑stage remediation—serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of business models that rely on permissive compliance postures. In a market where users increasingly demand transparency and regulatory alignment, the case emphasizes why credible AML programs are not merely a legal checkbox but a core driver of platform reliability and long‑term viability.

What to watch next

Schaback’s sentencing timing remains fluid, with a May hearing continuing to unfold as prosecutors incorporate ongoing cooperation into the government’s recommendation.

Any additional actions or disclosures related to Paxful’s former leadership could emerge as part of related investigations and settlements.

Regulators may intensify scrutiny of other P2P exchanges and non‑custodial marketplaces to assess AML controls, monitoring capabilities, and enforcement readiness.

Broader market reactions might reflect shifting risk sentiment as platforms adjust compliance investments and governance standards in response to high‑profile enforcement cases.

Sources & verification

U.S. Department of Justice press release: Virtual Asset Trading Platform sentenced for violating Travel Act and other federal crimes (link provided in the DOJ filing).

DOJ Criminal Division official X/Twitter post confirming the case details and sentencing status.

Paxful closure announcement (archived): Paxful closure announcement, noting misconduct and remediation costs.

Statements and coverage surrounding Ray Youssef’s response to Paxful’s closure and Artur Schaback’s guilty plea.

Related reporting on Paxful’s alleged “Backpage Effect” and the platform’s historical collaborations cited by prosecutors.

What the story changes

The Paxful case illustrates how enforcement actions tied to AML controls can reshape the operations and viability of crypto platforms that rely on rapid growth and minimal compliance. By tying significant penalties to proven misconduct and highlighting explicit links to illicit activities, authorities are sending a clear signal: robust, transparent AML programs are foundational, not optional. As the industry evolves, platforms may need to reassess their onboarding, transaction screening, and governance practices to withstand heightened regulatory scrutiny and to restore or preserve user trust in a landscape that continues to balance innovation with accountability.

This article was originally published as US Fines Paxful $4M for Funds Linked to Trafficking and Fraud on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Coinbase has unveiled a wallet infrastructure designed to let AI agents spend, earn, and trade crypto autonomously. The feature, dubbed Agentic Wallets, builds on the AgentKit framework introduced in November 2024 and aims to push agents from answering questions to taking concrete actions in the market. The system enables developers to embed wallets into agents, enabling tasks such as monitoring DeFi positions, rebalancing portfolios, paying for compute and API access, and participating in creator economies. Core to this rollout is x402, Coinbase’s payments protocol built for autonomous AI use cases, which has reportedly processed 50 million transactions to date.

Agentic Wallets are designed to operate across networks, including the Ethereum layer-2 network Base, where agents can manage positions and execute strategies wherever opportunities exist. The approach envisions a future where agents autonomously optimize yields, rebalance liquidity, and deploy capital without requiring explicit, real-time approvals, provided permissions and controls are preconfigured by users. This marks a shift from AI assistants that merely advise to agents that act, according to Coinbase engineers Erik Reppel and Josh Nickerson in a Wednesday post announcing the development.

“The next generation of agents won’t just advise — they’ll act,” Reppel and Nickerson wrote, detailing plans for agents to perform a range of functions from monitoring yields across protocols to executing trades on Base and managing liquidity positions around the clock. They described a scenario in which an agent detects a more favorable opportunity at 3 a.m., rebalances automatically, and does so without explicit approval because user permissions and safety controls are already in place.

AI agents now operable on the Bitcoin Lightning Network

Beyond Ethereum’s Base, Lightning Labs—the team behind Bitcoin’s Layer-2 Lightning Network—rolled out a new toolset enabling AI agents to transact on Lightning through the L402 protocol standard. The update also allows AI agents to run a Lightning node and manage a Lightning wallet containing native Bitcoin (BTC) without accessing private keys. This development broadens the scope for autonomous financial activity on Bitcoin’s network, providing a parallel pathway for agents to engage with programmable money at the base layer’s second tier.

The push toward agent-enabled wallets comes alongside broader industry activity. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek announced ai.com, a platform intended to let users create personal AI agents to perform everyday tasks on their behalf. The capability ranges from managing emails and scheduling meetings to canceling subscriptions, shopping tasks, and even trip planning. Marszalek described a spectrum of tasks that AI agents could handle, illustrating how these tools might eventually operate as your digital proxy across daily routines.

Why crypto leaders are embracing agentic AI

Industry executives have long warned that AI could redefine how value is exchanged online. In late January, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire suggested billions of AI agents could transact with crypto and stablecoins for everyday payments within three to five years. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has echoed a similar sentiment, arguing that a native currency for AI agents is likely to be crypto, capable of supporting tasks from purchasing event tickets to paying restaurant bills. These public statements reflect a shared belief that programmable money and autonomous agents will converge to enable more fluid, real-time financial interactions.

At a higher level, the convergence of AI with decentralized finance and payments ecosystems is driving experimentation around agent autonomy. Google’s recent Universal Commerce Protocol, announced in January, is designed to power agentic commerce by enabling agents to initiate transfers on a user’s behalf, with Google Pay acting as the default payment handler for USD-denominated transactions. The protocol signals a broader push in the tech sector to enable AI-driven commerce that can operate across apps, devices, and payment rails without constant human oversight.

“Build agents that monitor yields across protocols, execute trades on Base and manage liquidity positions 24/7. Your agent detects a better yield opportunity at 3am? It rebalances automatically, no approval needed because you’ve already set permissions and controls.”

As these capabilities mature, momentum in the space is likely to hinge on two dimensions: the robustness of autonomous decision-making and the security of permissioning and governance models. Agentic Wallets must balance the convenience of automated actions with safeguards to prevent unintended risk exposure. The ongoing conversations around risk controls and regulatory alignment will shape how broadly such wallets are adopted by retail and institutional users alike.

Market context

The emergence of autonomous wallets sits within a broader cycle of increased on-chain programmability and the maturation of smart contract-enabled finance. As liquidity provision, yield optimization, and creator economy participation become more automation-friendly, the appetite for self-operating agents grows among developers and institutions alike. The convergence of AI tooling with established networks like Base and the Lightning Network underscores a dual-track approach: one path leverages scalable, smart-contract-enabled ecosystems, while the other emphasizes fast, low-friction payments on Bitcoin’s secondary layer. Regulatory clarity and ETF-related flows in traditional markets are likely to influence how aggressively capital participates in these early-stage, automation-centric use cases.

Why it matters

Agentic Wallets represent a tangible step toward programmable money that can autonomously allocate capital, monitor risk, and adjust exposure across multiple protocols. If successful, the approach could reduce the overhead of manual trading and portfolio management, enabling more people to experiment with sophisticated strategies without in-depth technical know-how. The ability to manage DeFi positions and pay for compute or data access autonomously also has implications for developers building AI-powered financial tools, potentially accelerating product development cycles and new business models in the crypto space.

The integration with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network adds a separate layer of significance. By enabling AI agents to transact via L402 on Lightning and hold a Lightning-compatible wallet, the ecosystem expands the set of on-chain and off-chain rails that can be orchestrated by autonomous programs. This broadens practical use cases for AI agents—from micro-payments to cross-network arbitrage—while testing the limits of permissioned automation and the user controls that balance safety with convenience. Taken together, these developments suggest a future in which agents operate across multiple rails with varying latency, fees, and settlement characteristics.

For users and builders, the key takeaway is a shift in how wallets are used and who controls them. Agentic Wallets place agency in the hands of AI-enabled programs, but with computerized governance that requires explicit permissions ahead of time. The risk-management framework around such permissions will be critical to its sustainable adoption, particularly as public enthusiasm for automation intersects with concerns about security and misuse. The coming months are likely to reveal the first generation of real-world deployments and decision-making heuristics that will define the role of agents in everyday crypto activity.

What to watch next

Expansion of Agentic Wallets beyond Base to other Ethereum layer-2s and compatible networks, including any developer updates from Coinbase.

Tracking adoption and volume on the x402 payments protocol, including any reported milestones beyond the 50 million transactions already noted.

Broader deployment of AI agents on Bitcoin via the Lightning Network using L402, and the integration of wallets with Lightning node operations.

Progress and practical traction for ai.com by Crypto.com, including user adoption metrics and featured autonomous tasks.

Further details on Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol and collaboration milestones that enable agent-initiated transfers and payments in real-world settings.

Sources & verification

Coinbase: Introducing AgentKit — developer-facing overview and the roadmap for embedding wallets into autonomous agents.

Coinbase Developer Platform status updates on AgentKit and Agentic Wallets deployment.

Lightning Labs: L402 protocol standard enabling AI agents to transact on Lightning and manage Lightning-enabled wallets.

Crypto.com: ai.com platform launch and its scope for personal AI agents performing daily tasks.

Google: Universal Commerce Protocol and Agent Payment Protocol 2 for agent-enabled transfers in commerce.

Key figures and next steps

Coinbase’s public framing of Agentic Wallets as a step toward “agents that act” follows a broader wave of AI-powered automation across crypto layers. The combination of AgentKit, x402, and multi-network reach—spanning Base and the Lightning Network—provides a multi-faceted testbed for autonomous financial activity. Investors and builders will be watching for evidence of sustainable user authorization models, transparent risk controls, and clear metrics around automated yield optimization and liquidity management. As the ecosystem experiments with agent-based transactions, market participants will assess whether these autonomous wallets can reliably operate without compromising security or user intent.

This article was originally published as Coinbase Launches Crypto Wallets for AI Agents on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

In a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers grilled Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins over the agency’s crypto enforcement record and the fate of several cases that have been dismissed since leadership changes. The session highlighted a growing debate about the SEC’s approach to a fast-evolving sector as enforcement activity appears to have cooled under the current regime. Representative Stephen Lynch, a Democrat from Massachusetts, cited a roughly 60% drop in enforcement actions since Atkins took the helm, pointing to the dismissal of several high-profile lawsuits, including the Binance case in May 2025, as indicators of shifting dynamics in the agency’s crypto strategy.

The hearing also touched on connections between the Trump family and various crypto ventures, with Lynch flagging foreign investments and memecoins tied to the family as areas of concern. A notable development cited during the discussion involved Aryam Investment 1, an Abu Dhabi-based vehicle backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which reportedly acquired 49% of the startup behind World Liberty Financial (WLFI) — a decentralized finance platform linked to the Trump family. Lynch argued that such ties could undermine trust in the sector and complicate consumer protection, while Atkins maintained that the SEC remains committed to pursuing enforcement where warranted. World Liberty Financial (WLFI) was referenced in the discussions as a focal point of these concerns, a project that has drawn scrutiny amid international investment links and crypto-market activity.

“This is hurting the crypto industry, all these scams. Look at crypto today. I think it’s down 25% in the last month. People are losing trust, and it’s not good for crypto. It’s certainly not good for consumers, and it’s awful the reputational damage that the SEC is suffering.”

The SEC chair responded by reiterating the agency’s stance that enforcement actions continue where they are warranted and that the agency’s program remains robust. Atkins stressed ongoing cases and emphasized the normalization of enforcement efforts in the crypto space, even as some lawmakers pressed for a clearer accounting of stalled or dismissed actions. The exchange underscores a broader, bipartisan challenge: how to balance consumer protection with a market that is still evolving in terms of products, custody, and governance structures.

The discussion unfolded as the U.S. political calendar—set against a midterm election backdrop—adds complexity to crypto policy dynamics. Lawmakers suggested that a shift in congressional control could affect the pace and nature of market-structure legislation and other regulatory initiatives that touch the crypto industry. The hearing also touched on bilateral concerns about the influence of foreign actors in U.S. crypto projects, and how such links might shape lawmakers’ willingness to push ahead with comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the near term.

California Democrat Maxine Waters, who has been a persistent critic of both the Trump orbit and parts of the crypto ecosystem, pressed Atkins on the implications of pardons and dropped lawsuits for the credibility of the SEC’s enforcement program. “These cases were dismissed, despite the fact that the SEC was winning in court, proving that the SEC’s crypto enforcement program was well-grounded in the law,” Waters contended, underscoring concerns about the political contours surrounding enforcement decisions. The discussion touched on associations between pardoned executives and crypto ventures that have contributed to political fundraising, a point Waters framed as a broader issue of transparency and accountability in the sector.

The deliberations also highlighted broader questions about how foreign investment and purported national-security considerations intersect with crypto innovation. The conversation around WLFI and related projects was framed as part of a wider debate about whether foreign influence could shape policy at a moment when the sector is seeking mainstream adoption. The hearing did not resolve these questions, but it did illuminate the ongoing rift between calls for stronger enforcement and concerns about how aggressively regulators should pursue actions when cases appear to be in flux or subject to political considerations.

Why it matters

For investors and builders in the crypto space, the hearing underscores the evolving risk landscape around regulatory expectations. The fact that enforcement actions have declined by a substantial margin since Atkins took office raises questions about the SEC’s current priorities and the factors that drive case selection in a sector that is both technologically complex and rapidly changing. The dismissal of prominent cases—such as the Binance lawsuit—suggests that the regulatory environment can shift in meaningful ways, with potential implications for how market participants assess risk, pursue compliance, and engage with U.S. authorities.

At the same time, the linkage of crypto ventures to political figures and foreign investment underlines a broader narrative about governance, transparency, and consumer protection in the industry. The WLFI situation, in particular, places a spotlight on how geopolitical dynamics and high-profile associations might influence perceptions of legitimacy and safety in decentralized finance platforms. While lawmakers are calling for vigilance against scams and opaque schemes, others warn against overreach that could chill innovation or raise the hurdle for legitimate crypto projects seeking to operate within the U.S. regulatory framework.

As the midterm year unfolds, the conversation around crypto enforcement is likely to remain tightly connected to broader regulatory ambitions and the political calculus surrounding the Democratic and Republican coalitions in Congress. The balance between rigorous scrutability and enabling responsible innovation will continue to shape the direction of policy, enforcement priorities, and the market’s readiness to adopt new technologies and products in a compliant, transparent manner.

Beyond the immediate hearing, observers are watching for how the SEC will calibrate its approach to crypto assets, custody, exchanges, and complex DeFi structures in forthcoming rulemakings and guidance. The tension between enforcement actions and industry confidence is a key barometer for overall market sentiment—a factor that could influence liquidity, participation, and the pace of institutional involvement as the sector seeks clearer guardrails and consistent regulatory expectations.

Related coverage has tracked ongoing discussions about WLFI and related topics, including how foreign involvement in crypto ventures may intersect with national security considerations and regulatory oversight. As the ecosystem matures, stakeholders will be looking for signals on whether enforcement focus will intensify in certain sub-sectors or remain steady as policymakers evaluate the efficacy and proportionality of regulatory actions in a rapidly evolving landscape.

What to watch next

Follow-up statements or actions from the SEC after the hearing, including any new policy guidance or adjustments to enforcement priorities.

Updates on WLFI-related developments and any regulatory or legal steps involving Aryam Investment 1’s stake and its connections.

Potential movements on market-structure legislation or other crypto regulatory bills during the current congressional cycle.

Next round of congressional scrutiny or inquiries into crypto governance and cross-border links to high-profile projects.

Sources & verification

YouTube video: US House Committee on Financial Services—Lynch questions SEC Chair Paul Atkins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAq7zM2sTuE

Court documents: Motion to dismiss the Binance case. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.256060/gov.uscourts.dcd.256060.301.0.pdf

Cointelegraph: SEC dismisses lawsuit against Binance (filings show). https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-dismisses-lawsuit-against-binance-filings-show

Cointelegraph: UAE-backed firm buys 49% Trump-linked World Liberty (WLFI). https://cointelegraph.com/news/uae-backed-firm-buys-49-percent-trump-linked-world-liberty-wsj

Cointelegraph: Trump-linked WLFI probe and UAE investment. https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-wlfi-probe-500-million-investment-from-uae-official

Congressional hearing highlights a shift in crypto enforcement and governance

The hearing laid bare a tension that will likely continue to define the crypto policy conversation: regulators assert that they will aggressively pursue violations where the law supports it, while lawmakers—and a portion of the industry—argue that the enforcement regime should be predictable, proportionate, and cognizant of the sector’s growth potential. Atkins reiterated the SEC’s commitment to due process and to enforcing rules designed to protect investors, even as several high-profile cases have fallen away or stalled. Lynch’s remarks framed these outcomes within a broader concern about the impact on public trust and the long-term legitimacy of crypto markets. The exchange also underscored how the regulatory narrative around foreign involvement, national security, and consumer protection intersects with ongoing debates about the appropriate pace of rulemaking and the extent of enforcement discretion.

As the discussion moves forward, observers will be watching for concrete signals about how the SEC plans to align its enforcement posture with the evolving technological landscape—including DeFi, stablecoins, and non-custodial products—and how lawmakers on both sides of the aisle intend to shape the regulatory architecture that will govern these innovations in the years to come.

This article was originally published as Democrats Blast SEC Chair Atkins Over Crypto Enforcement on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Ripple has announced a new partnership with Aviva Investors, marking a significant step toward the tokenization of traditional financial assets on the XRP Ledger. This partnership will bring the benefits of tokenized fund structures to the UK investment sector. Ripple’s collaboration with Aviva Investors highlights the growing momentum behind the tokenization of markets and the expanding use of blockchain technology in traditional finance.

Ripple Partners with Aviva Investors for Tokenized Fund Structures

Ripple has teamed up with Aviva Investors, a key asset manager in the UK, to bring traditional financial assets onto the XRP Ledger. This collaboration represents a strategic move to expand Ripple’s efforts in the tokenization space. Both parties aim to bring technological efficiencies to the investment sector by developing tokenized fund structures.

Ripple has been at the forefront of blockchain and digital asset innovation, with the XRP Ledger having processed over four billion transactions since 2012. It currently operates with more than seven million active wallets and 120 individual validators. This marks Ripple’s first partnership with an asset manager in the UK, as it seeks to integrate regulated financial assets into its blockchain ecosystem.

We’re thrilled to announce that @Ripple is partnering with Aviva Investors to bring traditional fund structures to the XRP Ledger. This marks our first collaboration with a European investment management firm to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) at scale.

By leveraging the…

— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) February 11, 2026

The partnership is set to enable Aviva Investors to debut tokenized financial products using Ripple’s blockchain technology. The collaboration promises to enhance both time and cost efficiency in the investment process. Ripple’s involvement in tokenization is part of a broader strategy to institutionalize blockchain-based financial solutions, adding to its existing portfolio of global partnerships with firms like BNY Mellon and American Express.

Ripple’s Continued Focus on Institutional Tokenization

Ripple has been building on its vision to offer institutional-grade tokenization solutions on the XRP Ledger. The firm’s recent roadmap emphasized its commitment to expanding the adoption of tokenized assets, aiming to enhance liquidity and operational efficiency across financial markets. This partnership with Aviva Investors is part of Ripple’s ongoing efforts to integrate traditional finance with blockchain technology.

Aviva Investors shares Ripple’s enthusiasm for the potential of tokenization in transforming financial markets. According to Nigel Khakoo, Vice President of Trading and Markets, the development of tokenized fund structures can bring substantial technological advancements to the investment sector. Tokenization, he explained, could lead to greater scalability for regulated financial assets.

Ripple’s tokenization efforts have already made waves in other industries. The company has recently provided custody services for Billiton Diamond and Ctrl Alt’s initiative to tokenize over $280 million in polished diamonds. Ripple’s expanding focus on tokenization is poised to reshape how financial assets are managed and traded on blockchain platforms.

Ripple’s Commitment to XRP as the Core Asset

Despite its expanding ventures into tokenization and other blockchain technologies, Ripple remains committed to XRP as its core asset. CEO Brad Garlinghouse reaffirmed that XRP continues to be the company’s top priority. This statement follows speculation that Ripple might be shifting its focus toward its stablecoin, RLUSD, particularly in light of its recent partnership with Zand Bank in the UAE.

Ripple’s dedication to XRP is evident in its significant investment in the digital asset’s future. The company has established a $1 billion treasury project for XRP, signaling its long-term vision for the coin. While Ripple continues to innovate in the blockchain space, it remains focused on the continued growth and utility of XRP within its ecosystem.

As Ripple forges ahead with its strategic initiatives, its commitment to XRP serves as the foundation for its broader ambitions. The firm’s ongoing efforts to integrate traditional financial assets onto blockchain platforms further highlight XRP’s potential in the future of global finance.

This article was originally published as Ripple Partners with Aviva Investors to Tokenize Traditional Assets on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin, the trailblazer of the crypto markets, extended a three-day retreat after failing to sustain a breakthrough above $70,000, briefly slipping under $66,000 during the New York session. The move comes as liquidity in spot markets appears thinner, with on-chain signals pointing to the possibility that selling pressure on dominant venue Binance is guiding the short-term trajectory. While the setup has drawn comparisons to prior pullbacks, the current dynamics show subdued US participation and a reluctance among traders to redeploy capital at current levels. Investors are watching whether the price can establish a more durable bottom or if the weakness spills into the broader risk-on spectrum, given the sensitivity of Bitcoin to macro risk sentiment, ETF flows, and spot demand signals.

Key takeaways

The Coinbase premium index has dipped below zero, signaling muted US spot demand at current price levels.

Cumulative volume delta (CVD) on Binance has remained negative, underscoring persistent net selling pressure rather than accumulation.

The 30-day new money flow has flipped to negative territory, around –$2.8 billion, suggesting weaker fresh capital entering the market.

Open interest has declined to about $17.6 billion, indicating a unwind of leverage rather than new long exposure.

The “young supply” metric (coins moved in the last 0–1 month) has cooled to roughly 13%, pointing to thinner speculative participation compared with prior rallies.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Bearish

Price impact: Negative. The failure to sustain above $70,000 and the renewed downside move below $66,000 reflect renewed selling pressure and a cautious posture among traders.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The lack of robust spot demand and waning open interest suggest patience until on-chain signals and price action align for a nearer-term reversal.

Market context: The current pullback follows a period of net selling pressure on Binance with a subdued US participation backdrop, as the Coinbase premium remains negative and on-chain metrics trend softer than in prior upswings.

Why it matters

The latest data paints a picture of a market that is trading with caution rather than enthusiasm. Bitcoin’s price action near the $66,000 level coincides with several on-chain indicators that have historically presaged slower bullish inflows rather than renewed buying interest. The negative CVD on Binance, coupled with a muted Coinbase premium, suggests that spot-led demand—the fuel for a sustained upmove—has cooled at these price levels. In practical terms, the market is testing whether investors will step in at lower levels or if the liquidity tap remains largely off, complicating any attempt to stage a durable rally in the near term.

From a leverage perspective, the steady decline in open interest implies that traders are closing positions rather than initiating new long bets. This is important because it signals a risk-tolerant environment is not currently driving new exposures; instead, participants are digesting the recent price action and awaiting clearer catalysts. The combined effect of shrinking leverage and muted new money flow reduces the odds of a rapid, self-sustaining rebound in Bitcoin prices without a shift in the broader liquidity backdrop or a fresh wave of buying momentum from major players.

Looking at the supply-side signals, the “young supply” share has cooled toward the lower end of its range, suggesting a lull in speculative participation from newer entrants. When the youth supply shrinks, it often accompanies a lack of capitulation-driven liquidity rather than the exuberance seen in stronger uptrends. In the current context, the market atmosphere resembles a phase of consolidation with a cautious tilt, rather than a momentum-driven breakout. The data also underlines the interplay between spot demand and the efficiency of price discovery in a market where futures and ETFs can influence the pace and direction of moves, even as spot liquidity remains fragile.

For readers tracking cross-corridors of influence, the ongoing discussion around spot Bitcoin ETFs and their inflows remains relevant. Related reporting has highlighted that spot Bitcoin ETFs added significant inflows recently, underscoring how new vehicles can alter risk appetite and liquidity dynamics even as spot markets grapple with a cooler demand cycle. This backdrop reinforces the notion that any sustained upside will likely hinge on a combination of improved on-chain demand, favorable macro conditions, and constructive ETF or futures flows that re-energize liquidity in the ecosystem.

Additional on-chain context comes from CryptoQuant data, which continues to emphasize the absence of robust spot demand below the $70,000 threshold. The 30-day money flow is negative, hovering near –$2.8 billion, with daily readings around the mid-to-high single-digit hundreds of millions of dollars in the red. In this environment, weaker inflows reduce the likelihood of a fast-paced re-acceleration, even as the market eyes any sign of a structural shift or a change in the ratio of bids to asks that could spark renewed buying interest.

All told, the market appears to be navigating a transitional phase: price discovery is proceeding in a backdrop of thinning liquidity, a cautious stance among buyers, and on-chain signals that favor restraint over aggression. While some traders will remain hopeful for a fast revival, others may choose to observe the next few sessions for clearer confirmation that demand is returning with conviction, not merely oscillating around a key price threshold.

Related: Spot Bitcoin ETFs add $167M, nearly erase last week’s outflows

CryptoQuant data further reinforces the lack of spot demand below $70,000. The 30-day cumulative new money flow has turned negative, near -$2.8 billion, while recent daily readings remain subdued around -$239 million. Unlike prior uptrends where price pullbacks drew meaningful inflows, the current price slide has not sparked a corresponding surge of capital into the market.

The “young supply” share (0–1 month), which tracks coins moved recently, has also cooled toward the lower end of its recent range, hovering near 13%. This pattern points to reduced speculative participation from newer traders, a characteristic frequently observed before the formation of a new base rather than during a fresh leg higher. Strong rallies in the past have been accompanied by rising young supply, expanding capital inflows, and increasing open interest—none of which are evident in the current phase, adding to the cautioned tone around near-term price prospects.

Related: Rare Bitcoin signal flashes: Will a 220percent BTC price rally follow?

This article was originally published as Bitcoin Rebound Fades as Range Highs Crumble: Why BTC Is Volatile on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bank Negara Malaysia’s Digital Asset Innovation Hub (DAIH) is testing the frontier of asset tokenization with three regulatory sandbox programs designed to study stablecoins and tokenized bank deposits. The central bank’s initiative focuses on ringgit-denominated stablecoins for cross-border settlement and the tokenization of real-world assets, a move that could reshape how institutions settle and finance in a digital era. The pilots also examine tokenized bank deposits, aiming to generate research that could feed into a broader wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) framework. Shariah considerations will be assessed as part of the evaluation, underscoring Malaysia’s effort to balance innovation with its financial framework. The announcements indicate a structured, policy-oriented approach to asset tokenization within a jurisdiction known for both pragmatic regulation and a robust Islamic-finance ecosystem.

Key takeaways

Three regulatory sandbox programs under BNM’s Digital Asset Innovation Hub are dedicated to researching stablecoins, tokenized RWAs, and tokenized bank deposits, with a view toward practical policy guidance.

The initiative centers on ringgit-stablecoins for cross-border settlement and explores tokenized real-world assets, potentially feeding into a wholesale CBDC strategy.

Partnerships include Standard Chartered Bank, CIMB Group, Maybank, and Capital A, signaling strong institutional engagement in asset tokenization experiments.

Shariah-related considerations will be evaluated, reflecting Malaysia’s aim to harmonize innovation with Islamic-finance norms.

A three-year roadmap to test asset tokenization across multiple real-world sectors was published in November 2025, outlining concrete use cases and timelines.

Tickers mentioned: $RMJDT

Market context: The effort sits within a broader global push to tokenize assets and explore digital currencies, highlighting a trend among nations to use regulated sandboxes to assess how tokenized fiat and RWAs could operate in a digital economy.

Why it matters

Malaysia’s move is notable for its deliberate layering of regulatory testing with a clear emphasis on practical applications. By pairing ringgit-denominated stablecoins with cross-border settlement use cases, BNM signals that wholesale digital assets could serve as a bridge between traditional financial rails and a digitized settlement layer. The inclusion of tokenized real-world assets points to a broader ambition: to unlock liquidity and efficiency in sectors ranging from trade finance to supply chain finance. If successful, these pilots could reduce settlement times, mitigate counterparty risk, and provide a blueprint for other central banks contemplating asset tokenization as part of a digital economy strategy.

The program’s attention to Shariah compliance is meaningful in two respects. First, it acknowledges the financial institution’s need to align new instruments with Islamic finance principles. Second, it could broaden the appeal of tokenized assets to a segment of investors and institutions that require explicit compliance frameworks. This dual focus—technological feasibility paired with principled governance—helps set a prudent tone for any future rollout beyond research, should policy directions evolve in a favorable direction.

Involving major domestic financial players—Standard Chartered Bank, CIMB Group, Maybank, and Capital A—adds credible, real-world testing ground for the sandbox. Their participation underscores the likelihood that, if the pilots deliver compelling results, private sector interest could accelerate the path from lab to pilot payments, and eventually to live deployments in wholesale markets. The collaboration also mirrors a broader industry trend in which banks explore tokenization and on-chain equivalents of fiat and assets to reduce settlement risk and expand access to liquidity for businesses and sovereign clients alike.

Additionally, the roadmap published in November 2025 maps out a concrete plan for asset tokenization that spans several real-world use cases. The document highlights supply chain management, Shariah-compliant financial products, access to credit, programmable finance, and 24/7 cross-border settlement as target areas. This breadth signals that the central bank is thinking beyond a single instrument, evaluating how tokenization can support multiple facets of the financial system while scaling through a staged, policy-informed approach. The emphasis on cross-border settlement also aligns with ongoing global discussions about how digital assets could streamline international trade in a compliant, regulated manner.

One of the notable practical elements is the December-era activity surrounding a ringgit-stablecoin tied to RMJDT. Reportedly issued by Bullish Aim, a telecom arm controlled by Ismail Ibrahim (the eldest son of Malaysia’s current king), the instrument entered regulatory sandbox testing and has not yet been opened to public trading. The broader context includes Standard Chartered Bank and Capital A’s plans to explore a ringgit-stablecoin for wholesale settlement, reinforcing that institutions view tokenized fiat as a potential tool for large-scale, non-retail settlements. While RMJDT’s public market status remains uncertain, its progression within the sandbox illustrates how government-backed experiments can intersect with private-sector innovation and family-linked enterprise within Malaysia’s unique economic tapestry.

Taken together, the initiatives reflect a global momentum toward asset tokenization—with central banks, private banks, and financial-services firms exploring how digital representations of fiat, debt, and RWAs could operate at scale. The emphasis on wholesale mechanisms rather than retail access suggests a measured, policy-driven approach intended to test liquidity, settlement efficiency, and regulatory safeguards before broader public adoption.

What to watch next

Progress updates from the DAIH sandbox pilots on stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and RWAs, including any policy direction issued by BNM.

Details and milestones from the November 2025 asset-tokenization roadmap, including sector-by-sector pilots and timelines.

Any regulatory guidance or framework adjustments that emerge as a result of the pilots, particularly around cross-border settlement and Shariah-compliance considerations.

Further announcements from banks and Capitol A about wholesale ringgit-stablecoins and potential live pilots beyond sandbox testing.

Sources & verification

Bank Negara Malaysia announcement on the Digital Asset Innovation Hub and DAIH sandbox pilots — daiH-upd page

BNM Discussion Paper on Asset Tokenisation (BNM documents and citations)

Malaysia central bank roadmap for asset tokenization — Cointelegraph coverage of the three-year roadmap

Ismail Ibrahim’s ringgit-stablecoin RMJDT (cited in coverage of the crown prince’s project)

Standard Chartered Bank and Capital A ringgit-stablecoin exploration — Cointelegraph reporting on wholesale settlement plans

Malaysia’s asset-tokenization push: what it means for the market

BNM’s DAIH sandbox approach illustrates a careful, policy-savvy pathway to asset tokenization. By prioritizing cross-border settlement, RWAs, and on-chain fiat mechanisms within a regulated environment, the central bank aims to balance innovation with financial stability and regulatory clarity. The involvement of major financial institutions signals credible testing grounds that could inform future policy and potentially accelerate the deployment of wholesale digital assets. While retail access remains outside the scope of these pilots, the lessons learned could influence how central banks, banks, and regulators collaborate on tokenized markets and CBDC models in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Why it matters for investors and builders

For investors and builders, the Malaysia program offers a case study in how a national regulator anchors experimental activity in real-world use cases, rather than speculative hype. The focus on Shariah compliance is particularly relevant for fintechs seeking to serve diverse markets with tailored financial products. If the sandbox proves viable, it could unlock new liquidity channels and spur collaboration between traditional financial infrastructure and blockchain-enabled settlement layers. For regional players, Malaysia’s approach could serve as a blueprint for coordinated policy development around asset tokenization, wholesale stablecoins, and potential CBDC ecosystems that prioritize both innovation and risk controls.

This article was originally published as Malaysia’s Central Bank Unveils Stablecoin & Tokenization Sandbox on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) faced a volatile session as U.S. payrolls data surprised to the upside, complicating the path for the Federal Reserve and market risk appetite. After an early intraday spike toward the high $60,000s, the largest cryptocurrency retraced, leaving traders weighing whether a deeper pullback is coming or a temporary pause in risk-off sentiment is enough to support a rebound. The reaction came as the broader equity complex wobbled, with major indices trading in divergent fashion in response to the jobs release and the Fed’s likely response to it. The day’s price action underscores how macro news can quickly reframe crypto downside risk and the near-term technical setup.

Key takeaways

Bitcoin briefly spiked toward the $69,000 mark intraday before reversing, with the move followed by a pullback that extended losses through the session.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 130,000 in January, well above the 55,000 consensus, while the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3% from 4.4%.

Despite the strong jobs data, the signal for the Federal Reserve to hold rates at the March meeting persisted, supported by futures markets showing a high probability of a pause.

The S&P 500 inched higher early but then gave back the gains, while the Nasdaq Composite slid, illustrating mixed risk-asset responses to the same macro print.

Analysts and traders flagged a potential “slow bleed” scenario for BTC toward the sub-$60,000s or mid-$50,000s if buyers fail to reclaim key levels, with attention fixed on Friday’s CPI release for further clarity.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Bearish

Price impact: Negative. A sharp intraday spike gave way to a renewed downward slope, signaling renewed anxiety about near-term downside risk.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The market is testing whether downside pressure can be contained above key support levels, with forthcoming inflation data likely to drive the next leg.

Market context: The broader crypto environment remains sensitive to macro narratives—especially inflation trajectories and the likelihood of further monetary tightening or pauses—which shape liquidity and risk sentiment across digital assets.

Why it matters

The January employment report cemented a narrative in which a robust labor market reduces the near-term impulse for the Fed to cut rates, complicating the outlook for risk assets, including bitcoin. While stronger payrolls can intensify fears of higher-for-longer policy, the sheer resilience of the job market also mitigates the chance of a sharp recession, which can paradoxically support risk appetite in certain regimes. The market’s response in equities—modest gains in the S&P 500 that faded while tech-heavy indices retreated—reflects a nuanced equilibrium: traders are parsing whether macro strength translates into higher yields and tighter financial conditions, or whether cooling inflation signals will eventually embolden a broader risk-on posture.

Bitcoin’s price action over the session underscored those crosscurrents. The initial move higher suggested a renewal of demand, perhaps driven by the prospect of a Fed pause and the possibility of liquidity support from markets still navigating 2026’s macro landscape. Yet as the day evolved, the lack of follow-through on the upside and the re-emergence of selling pressure highlighted how quickly technical conditions can pivot on a single data release. For market participants, the takeaway is clear: macro prints will continue to define crypto volatility in the near term, even when the fundamental picture for blockchain technologies remains intact and the long-run adoption thesis remains intact.

Looking ahead, traders will be watching not only next week’s inflation data but also ongoing risk signals from both traditional markets and on-chain metrics. The interplay between macro cues and crypto-specific dynamics—such as exchange inflows, funding rates, and retail participation—will determine whether BTC stabilizes near current levels or tests critical supports in the low to mid-$60,000 range. The Fed’s eventual policy stance, as reflected in the FedWatch indicator and related market pricing, will remain a major driver, shaping whether risk assets get a sustained push or retreat into a risk-off regime.

What to watch next

Friday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) release to gauge inflation momentum and its impact on the Fed’s course.

The March FOMC decision and the probability of a rate pause, as reflected in futures markets.

BTC price action around key support levels near $64,000, $62,000, and the rumored $50,000 downside scenario.

Market breadth signals in equities and whether risk-on appetite improves or deteriorates in the wake of inflation data.

Any new official guidance from major market participants and notable traders regarding the balance of risk and potential upside catalysts for BTC.

Sources & verification

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics January nonfarm payrolls report showing 130,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate at 4.3%.

CME Group FedWatch Tool indicating high odds of a rate pause in March.

TradingView BTCUSD price charts capturing intraday spikes and retracements on the session.

Kobeissi Letter’s analysis on unemployment trends and the Fed’s expected stance.

Price context and reference points discussed in market commentary noting BTC’s potential low-$60k to mid-$50k scenarios and prior coverage of $69,000 significance.

Bitcoin volatility and the jobs data backdrop

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) traded with pronounced sensitivity to the day’s macro data, underscoring how quickly crypto markets respond to shifts in macro policy expectations. The price momentum was highly event-driven: a brisk move up toward the $69,000 area was followed by a swift reversal, dragging the session into negative territory as the day wore on. The early move appeared to reflect a tempered optimism around a potential pause in rate hikes, but the subsequent pullback suggested that investors are not yet prepared to embrace a renewed up-leg without more convincing evidence of durable demand.

The January nonfarm payrolls report delivered numbers well above expectations—130,000 jobs added against a forecast of 55,000—while the unemployment rate declined to 4.3%. Such a strong labor market reduces the immediate pressure on the Fed to cut rates, implying a higher probability that policy normalization will proceed at a measured pace. In the near term, that translates to a cautious stance for crypto and other risk assets, even as the longer-term inflation trajectory remains a central question for market participants. The data fed into a narrative that a Fed pause would persist, a conclusion reflected by the CME FedWatch Tool’s readings that traders viewed the odds of a March pause as elevated, a signal that liquidity conditions may not tighten rapidly enough to derail risk appetite completely, but also that upside momentum in BTC would require a solid commitment from buyers at key price junctures.

Asset markets showed a mixed response. The S&P 500 edged higher in early trading before retracing, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped, highlighting a bifurcated risk environment where value and growth cohorts moved in different directions in response to the same macro release. Gold, often a proxy for macro uncertainty, also exhibited choppy behavior, briefly touching fresh February highs before trimming gains as traders weighed the likelihood of further volatility in the real economy. The nuance here is important: even with a robust January jobs report, the macro landscape remains unsettled, leaving markets to calibrate inflation expectations against the probability of a slower but still uncertain path for monetary policy.

Among traders, sentiment leaned toward caution. The Kobeissi Letter’s commentary framed the data as supportive of the view that the Fed would pause, a narrative that aligns with a broader market expectation of a softer near-term policy stance. Yet the absence of a decisive bounce in BTC underscored a critical point: macro strength does not automatically translate into immediate crypto upside, particularly when the price must contend with meaningful resistance around prior highs and the looming risk of a renewed downturn if buyers fail to reclaim and sustain momentum above critical levels. In this context, BTC’s journey from the intraday peak back toward sub-$70,000 territory epitomized the current tension between macro resilience and crypto-specific risk management.

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This article was originally published as Bitcoin Surges After US Jobs Beat as Fed Pause Odds Near 95% on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.