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Argentinian cryptocurrency exchange Lemon has launched a Visa credit card collateralized by Bitcoin, local news La Nación reported Wednesday.

Lemon is the second-largest crypto exchange in Argentina, serving over 5.5 million users. The new Bitcoin-backed Visa credit card allows access to financing in pesos without having to sell or convert their BTC holdings.

“We created a simple way to access credit in pesos using Bitcoin as collateral, without needing a credit history,” said Marcelo Cavazzoli, founder and CEO of Lemon, in an official statement.

The rollout is the first stage in the product development, with simple mechanisms and a fixed amount.

How Does Lemon BTC-Backed Credit Card Work?

Per the exchange website, the user deposits 0.01 bitcoin as collateral – currently over $900 in value – and gets a credit card in pesos with a pre-assigned limit of $1,000,000. This way, Bitcoin is only held as collateral, and is neither sold nor converted.

“Bitcoin is the best store of value created in the history of humanity and the fundamental piece for the new digital economy,” Cavazzoli added.

Further, in the next phase of the project, users will be able to configure their own backup and credit limit. Additionally, Lemon is developing a solution to allow dollar-denominated purchases to be paid directly in digital dollars such as USDT and USDC stablecoins, the announcement read.

User Benefits

Lemon highlighted that users of the credit card will have commission-free purchases of digital dollars, Bitcoin, Ethereum and over 30 cryptos. Besides, exclusive benefits include early access to new features, newsletter with market info and portfolio summary.

In the initial three months, the card’s maintenance will be waived by Rootstock, the company noted, following which, 7,500 pesos per month ($5) will be waived for users who purchase over $150 worth of cryptocurrency per month.

“In Argentina, Bitcoin is the most held asset by Lemon users, above the crypto dollar and the peso,” it added. “With this card, Lemon seeks to transform those savings into an everyday tool.”

The post Argentinian Crypto App Lemon Launches Bitcoin-Backed Credit Card appeared first on Cryptonews.

Yao Qian, the former architect of China’s digital yuan, accepted crypto bribes worth over $8 million while holding senior regulatory positions, Chinese state media revealed this week.

The case exposes how corrupt officials exploited the same blockchain technology Yao helped develop to conceal illicit transactions through hardware wallets and anonymous transfers.

State broadcaster CCTV aired details of Yao’s corruption scheme on January 14 in a documentary titled “Technology Empowering Anti-Corruption,” showing how investigators traced 2,000 Ethereum (valued at 60 million yuan at peak prices) from a businessman to Yao’s personal wallet in 2018.

The former director of the Digital Currency Research Institute at the People’s Bank of China used multiple shell accounts and blockchain addresses to hide bribes totaling at least 22 million yuan ($3.1 million) in fiat currency alongside substantial crypto holdings.

Yao Qian. | Source: CoinDesk

Hardware Wallets Betrayed Corruption Trail

Investigators discovered three hardware wallets in Yao’s office drawer, each resembling ordinary USB devices but containing millions of yuan in cryptocurrency.

“These three seemingly insignificant little wallets stored tens of millions of yuan,” said Zou Rong, a staff member with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stationed at the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Source: Sina

While Yao believed virtual currencies offered anonymity, blockchain’s transparency enabled investigators to reconstruct complete transaction histories, linking bribes directly to his wallets.

The investigation revealed that Yao purchased a Beijing villa worth over 20 million yuan using funds traced to crypto exchanges, including a single 10 million yuan payment converted from digital assets.

Authorities penetrated layers of shell accounts controlled by relatives and intermediaries, establishing clear evidence that businessman Wang transferred 12 million yuan through an information services company in exchange for regulatory favors.

“He believed that after setting up multiple layers, the system would be more isolated,” said Shi Changping of Shanwei City’s Discipline Inspection Commission, adding that multiple parties actually strengthened the evidence chain.

Yao’s legal bank accounts showed no obvious irregularities, but cross-referencing with government databases uncovered accounts opened under other identities that he secretly controlled.

These shell accounts received large transfers that investigators traced back through four layers to crypto exchange fund accounts, eventually connecting to his property purchases and corrupt dealings with technology service providers.

Subordinate Enabled Crypto Bribery Network

Jiang Guoqing, Yao’s longtime subordinate who followed him from the People’s Bank to the securities regulator, served as the primary intermediary for crypto bribes.

“I set up a transfer address where people would send coins, then transfer them to Yao Qian’s personal wallet,” Jiang confessed, acknowledging he profited from facilitating power-for-money transactions.

Source: Sina

In 2018, Jiang connected businessman Zhang to Yao, who used his industry influence to help Zhang’s company issue tokens and raise 20,000 Ethereum through a cryptocurrency exchange, in exchange for 2,000 Ethereum.

“Yao Qian has great influence in the industry because of his position,” Jiang told investigators, explaining how regulatory authority translated into cryptocurrency market access.

Beyond digital bribes, prosecutors documented that Yao accepted expensive gifts, arranged luxurious banquets, manipulated employee recruitment, and facilitated software procurement deals with technology providers while serving at the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

The investigation also revealed that Yao engaged in superstitious practices (a cultural taboo in Communist Party governance) and established ties with individuals described as “key training targets” for illicit activities.

Yao was expelled from the Communist Party in November 2024 and transferred for criminal prosecution after investigators achieved “mutual corroboration and a closed loop of evidence” by combining blockchain transaction records with traditional financial forensics.

His case provided valuable experience for Chinese authorities investigating virtual currency corruption, with investigators emphasizing that “cryptocurrency is useless if it can’t be cashed out—when virtual assets eventually become real assets, their true nature is easily exposed.“

The villa Yao purchased with converted crypto remained unfinished when authorities detained him, serving as the physical evidence that exposed his elaborate digital deception scheme spanning years of regulatory service.

Digital Yuan Pushes Forward Despite Setback

Yao’s downfall hasn’t derailed China’s central bank digital currency ambitions, with the People’s Bank of China suppose to have launched a new framework on January 1 that allows commercial banks to pay interest on digital yuan wallet balances.

China's PBOC has rolled out digital yuan action plan for the upcoming year, to enhance the CBDC's management and financial infrastructure. #PBOC #DigitalYuan #ChinaCBDChttps://t.co/sKEBAfgcve

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 29, 2025

The move addresses long-standing adoption challenges, as the e-CNY has processed 3.48 billion transactions worth 16.7 trillion yuan through November 2025, but still trails far behind Alipay and WeChat Pay, which control over 90% of China’s mobile payments market.

The post China’s Digital Yuan Architect Accused of $8M Crypto Bribery Scheme appeared first on Cryptonews.

A senior New York prosecutor is urging state lawmakers to take a tougher stance on cryptocurrency crime, warning that regulatory gaps are allowing billions of dollars in illicit activity to flow through unlicensed platforms with little consequence.

Key Takeaways:

New York prosecutors warn unlicensed crypto platforms enable a $51 billion criminal economy.

High-fee crypto ATMs are being used to launder illicit cash with minimal oversight.

Lawmakers are being urged to mandate licensing and KYC for all crypto businesses.

Speaking at New York Law School on Wednesday, Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, called on legislators to criminalize unlicensed crypto operations, describing a “$51 billion criminal economy” that exploits weak oversight to launder proceeds from guns, drugs, fraud, and terrorism financing.

Bragg said closing those gaps has become a core priority alongside enforcement efforts targeting gun violence and organized retail theft.

New York Prosecutor Warns Unlicensed Crypto ATMs Fuel Money Laundering

Bragg focused heavily on unlicensed crypto kiosks and ATMs, which he said often charge fees as high as 20% to convert cash into digital assets while asking few questions about the source of funds.

According to Bragg, these machines have become a preferred tool for criminals seeking to move dirty money into crypto without interacting with regulated financial institutions.

“They know you’re laundering gun proceeds,” Bragg said during his remarks. “And they do it without necessarily asking you.”

While Manhattan prosecutors have successfully brought cases involving unlicensed Bitcoin ATM operations and terror financing schemes, Bragg warned that current laws force investigators to rely too often on criminals making mistakes.

He argued that enforcement should not depend on someone accidentally touching the traditional banking system or boasting about their crimes online.

“We shouldn’t need someone to slip up,” he said. “There are people far wiser than that.”

Bragg proposed mandatory licensing and know-your-customer requirements for all crypto businesses operating in New York, backed by criminal penalties for violations.

Any company involved in transferring, trading, or facilitating the movement of digital assets should be subject to the same baseline oversight, he said.

“If you are operating a crypto business, you should be licensed,” Bragg said. “It’s that simple.”

If adopted, the measure would make New York the 19th U.S. state to criminalize unlicensed crypto operations, according to Bragg.

Supporters argue such a move would strengthen consumer protections and give prosecutors clearer authority to pursue cases tied to fraud and money laundering.

New York Lawmakers Target “Pig-Butchering” Crypto Scams

During a question-and-answer session, concerns were raised about elderly New Yorkers who have lost life savings to so-called “pig-butchering” scams, where victims are groomed online before being convinced to send crypto to fraudulent addresses.

Bragg acknowledged the difficulty of recovering stolen funds and pointed to proposed legislation, including Senator Zellnor Myrie’s R.I.P.O.F.F. Act, as a way to expand recovery tools.

The push in New York comes as federal authorities also escalate enforcement.

Earlier this week, US prosecutors in Massachusetts sought the forfeiture of $200,000 in USDT linked to a romance-based crypto scam.

As reported, crypto scammers defrauded victims of at least $9.9 billion in 2024, marking one of the most significant financial crimes of the year.

The post New York Prosecutor Pushes to Criminalize Unlicensed Crypto Operations appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin could climb to fresh all-time highs in 2026, even after lagging behind gold and technology stocks last year, according to BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes.

Key Takeaways:

Arthur Hayes says Bitcoin’s path to new highs depends on renewed dollar liquidity rather than short-term price momentum.

Tight liquidity in 2025 explains why Bitcoin lagged gold and tech.

Hayes expects monetary expansion in 2026 to restore conditions that favor Bitcoin.

The outlook hinges not on short-term price action, but on a renewed expansion of dollar liquidity, which Hayes argues is ultimately the dominant driver of Bitcoin’s long-term value.

Arthur Hayes Says Bitcoin Needs Dollar Liquidity to Catch Gold and Nasdaq

In a post published Wednesday, Hayes questioned why Bitcoin struggled in 2025 while assets like gold and the Nasdaq continued to rise.

His answer was straightforward: liquidity. Without an expanding supply of dollars, Bitcoin lacks the fuel needed to outperform.

“Dollar liquidity must expand for that to happen,” Hayes said, adding that he expects those conditions to materialize in 2026.

Hayes outlined several factors that could trigger a sharp increase in liquidity. Among them is the potential expansion of the US Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, which would inject additional money into the financial system.

He also pointed to falling mortgage rates as liquidity loosens, along with a shift in commercial bank behavior that could see more lending directed toward U.S. government-backed strategic industries.

Military spending also plays a role in Hayes’ thesis. He argued that the United States will continue to project power globally, a strategy that requires large-scale weapons production financed through the banking system.

That spending, he said, contributes indirectly to monetary expansion, reinforcing conditions that tend to benefit scarce assets like Bitcoin.

My essay "Frowny Cloud" will drop tomorrow. My key degen trade for this first quarter is LONG: $MSTR and $3350 (Metaplanet) as levered plays on $BTC getting its groove back.

— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) January 13, 2026

Historically, looser monetary conditions have favored Bitcoin, as investors seek alternatives to fiat currencies that may lose purchasing power over time.

Hayes acknowledged that dollar liquidity contracted in 2025, coinciding with Bitcoin’s decline. Over the year, Bitcoin fell more than 14%, while gold surged over 44%.

Technology stocks, however, told a different story. The sector was the top performer in the S&P 500 last year, delivering returns well above the broader index.

Hayes attributed that divergence to government intervention, arguing that artificial intelligence has effectively been nationalized by both the United States and China.

As a result, capital continued flowing into AI-related companies regardless of traditional market signals.

Hayes: Bitcoin Is Monetary Technology, $100K Needs Fiat Debasement

Despite Bitcoin’s underperformance, Hayes cautioned against drawing bearish conclusions. He described Bitcoin as “monetary technology,” whose value is inseparable from the scale of fiat debasement.

While that alone ensures Bitcoin is worth more than zero, Hayes said reaching prices near $100,000 requires sustained monetary expansion.

Optimism among long-term bulls also remains strong. Venture capitalist Tim Draper reiterated this week that 2026 would be a breakout year, repeating his long-standing $250,000 Bitcoin price target.

Meanwhile, Abra CEO Bill Barhydt believes Bitcoin could benefit in 2026 as easing monetary policy injects fresh liquidity into global markets, reviving risk appetite after a prolonged period of tight financial conditions.

The post Bitcoin Can Hit New Highs in 2026 as Dollar Liquidity Expands, Says Arthur Hayes appeared first on Cryptonews.

Vlad Tenev, head of Robinhood Markets, has urged the US to take the lead in shaping crypto policy. He called for clear regulatory frameworks that foster innovation and protect consumers.

On January 15, Vlad Tenev said on X that staking remains one of the most sought-after features among Robinhood users. However, the feature is still not available to customers in four US states “due to the current gridlock.”

“Stock Tokens are available to our customers in the EU, but not in our home market,” he wrote.

Staking is one of the most requested features on @RobinhoodApp, but it’s still unavailable to customers in four U.S. states due to the current gridlock. Stock Tokens are available to our customers in the EU, but not in our home market.

It's time for the US to lead on crypto…

— Vlad Tenev (@vladtenev) January 15, 2026

Per the Robinhood website, staking crypto is currently unavailable in California, Maryland, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

“Time for the US to Lead on Crypto Policy”: Vlad Tenev

Further, Tenev voiced for clear legislation that protects consumers and unlocks innovation. “We support Congress’s efforts to pass the market structure bill,” he said, adding that there is still work to be done.

“But we see a path and are here to help the U.S. Senate Banking Committee GOP and the Senate Banking and Housing Democrats get it over the line.”

Robinhood CEO’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the need for comprehensive crypto regulations in the US.

On Wednesday, the Senate Banking Committee pushed back its planned markup of a sweeping crypto market structure bill. The legislation seeks to define when crypto tokens are securities, commodities or otherwise, giving the industry long-hoped-for legal clarity.

The decision to postpone arrives hours after Coinbase pulled its support for the bill’s latest version. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong flagged “too many issues,” including a de facto ban on tokenized equities, DeFi prohibitions and amendments that would kill rewards on stablecoins.

Robinhood CEO Argues AI Won’t Eliminate Jobs

In a separate conversation with FOX Business, Vlad Tenev said that AI could help drive new innovation and job creation.

“AI will lead to an explosion of not just new jobs, but new job families,” he said. He argued that technical disruption has always reformed work norms rather than eliminating them altogether.

“Even though we’ve seen disruption like this in the past, we have a feeling that it’s going to be more rapid,” he noted.

The post Staking Still Unavailable in Four States, Robinhood CEO Presses U.S. Lawmakers for Clarity appeared first on Cryptonews.

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has rejected allegations that his newly launched meme coin, NYC Token, was linked to suspicious liquidity withdrawals that left investors facing heavy losses.

Key Takeaways:

Eric Adams denies moving funds, blaming NYC Token losses on early market volatility.

The project admits to temporary liquidity rebalancing during the launch.

Onchain data flagged large withdrawals, sustaining rug pull concerns.

In a statement posted Tuesday to Adams’ X account, spokesperson Todd Shapiro said reports suggesting Adams moved money out of the NYC Token were “false and unsupported by any evidence.”

The statement added that Adams neither touched investor funds nor profited from the token’s launch, insisting that “no funds were removed from the NYC Token.”

NYC Token Team Blames Early Volatility for Post-Launch Price Drop

Shapiro characterized the token’s sharp price swings as a familiar feature of early-stage crypto projects.

“Like many newly launched digital assets, the NYC Token experienced market volatility,” he said, framing the turbulence as a market-driven event rather than a coordinated withdrawal.

The response followed heightened scrutiny of onchain activity surrounding NYC Token, which suffered a steep drawdown shortly after launch.

The project itself acknowledged liquidity adjustments, saying it had to “rebalance” amid strong demand.

In a post on X, the team said its partners temporarily removed funds for time-weighted average price execution and later added additional capital back into the liquidity pool.

https://twitter.com/ericadamsfornyc/status/2011541285354815932?s=20

Those explanations have done little to calm critics. Independent analysts flagged transactions that appeared to drain liquidity near peak prices, triggering concerns among traders.

One of the earliest warnings came from Rune Crypto, which alleged that roughly $3.4 million in liquidity was withdrawn shortly after launch and accused the project of operating like a rug pull.

Onchain visualization platform Bubblemaps also highlighted unusual patterns.

According to its analysis, a wallet connected to the token deployer removed around $2.5 million in USDC near the market top and later added back approximately $1.5 million after the token’s price had fallen more than 60%.

Bubblemaps: 60% of NYC Token Traders Lost Money After Launch

Bubblemaps further detailed the scope of trader losses. Of roughly 4,300 participants, an estimated 60% ended the token’s first hours in the red.

Most losses were under $1,000, but about 200 traders lost between $1,000 and $10,000. A smaller group suffered losses in the tens of thousands, while at least fifteen traders lost more than $100,000.

https://twitter.com/bubblemaps/status/2011465515148218478?s=20

Adams’ camp has emphasized that the NYC Token was pitched as a vehicle to support nonprofit initiatives and community education, not as a speculative investment.

Still, the episode has fueled transparency concerns, particularly around governance and liquidity management.

The project’s website states that the token is deployed on Solana with a total supply of one billion tokens, 70% of which are allocated to a reserve excluded from circulating supply.

While the team has cited unnamed partners in its liquidity actions, it has yet to publish a detailed breakdown, leaving questions about oversight and accountability unresolved.

The post Eric Adams Rejects “Rug Pull” Claims Tied to NYC Token Despite Big Losses appeared first on Cryptonews.

Washington’s push to write clear rules for crypto hit another snag after the Senate Banking Committee postponed its planned markup of a sweeping market structure bill, hours after Coinbase pulled support for the latest draft.

Chairman Tim Scott said late Wednesday the committee would delay the markup as bipartisan negotiations continue, but did not set a new date.

The delay came after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly withdrew support for the draft bill, which aims to clarify how crypto tokens are classified and place spot market oversight with the CFTC.

Armstrong wrote, “After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.”

I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith.

As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of…

— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 15, 2026

Scott Signals Ongoing Talks Despite Industry Pushback

Coinbase’s objections landed in the middle of a fast-moving lobbying fight over stablecoin rewards, with banks pressing lawmakers to prevent crypto platforms from offering yield-like incentives that can look and feel like interest on deposits.

The banking industry says Congress already drew that line in the GENIUS Act, which prohibits stablecoin issuers from paying interest or yield simply for holding a payment stablecoin, and it argues the market structure bill should close what it calls an end run via exchange rewards.

Scott said he has spoken with stakeholders and signaled negotiations continue.

“This bill reflects months of serious bipartisan negotiations and real input from innovators, investors and law enforcement,” he said. “The goal is to deliver clear rules of the road that protect consumers, strengthen our national security, and ensure the future of finance is built in the United States.”

Markup Delay Extends Wait For Clear Crypto Framework

The draft in play would restrict paying interest solely for holding a stablecoin, and it would still allow rewards tied to activities such as payments or loyalty programs, with the SEC and CFTC tasked with setting disclosure rules.

The committee had aimed to take up the bill in a Thursday session originally set for 10 am ET, and the delay leaves the industry waiting again for a legislative path that could replace years of case by case enforcement with a single framework.

The Senate’s broader crypto calendar is already shifting. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman has also pushed his committee’s markup deeper into January, saying lawmakers need more time to lock down remaining policy details and build broad support.

The post Senate Committee Postpones Crypto Bill Markup Following Coinbase Pushback appeared first on Cryptonews.

Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong said the exchange cannot support a new Senate crypto bill in its current form, injecting fresh uncertainty into Washington’s latest attempt to set ground rules for digital assets.

Senators introduced the draft earlier this week to clarify when tokens count as securities or commodities, and to place oversight of spot crypto markets with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a long-running priority for much of the industry.

Armstrong posted his opposition on Wednesday after reviewing the text, writing, “After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.”

Image Source: X/@brian_armstrong

Armstrong Flags Risks To Tokenization, DeFi And Privacy

He said the draft carries too many problems, including what he described as a de facto ban on tokenized equities, restrictions affecting decentralized finance and privacy, and changes that would weaken the CFTC in ways that could leave innovation at the mercy of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Armstrong also took aim at provisions that would limit rewards tied to stablecoins, a flashpoint in a widening lobbying fight between banks and crypto firms over whether yield like payouts resemble deposit products.

“We appreciate all the hard work by members of the Senate to reach a bi-partisan outcome, but this version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill. Hopefully we can all get to a better draft.”

The bill does not allow crypto companies to pay interest to consumers solely for holding a stablecoin, although it still permits rewards for certain activities such as making payments or joining loyalty programs, with disclosure rules to be set by the SEC and CFTC.

Crypto Industry Watches Closely As Bill Enters Critical Phase

Coinbase’s stance matters because the company has been a central voice in market structure negotiations and a major spender in pro-crypto political campaigns, and lawmakers now head into a Senate Banking Committee markup scheduled for 10 am ET Thursday without a key industry backer.

Separately, Galaxy said the Senate Banking draft goes further than the House passed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on illicit finance, and warned it could expand the Treasury Department’s reach into crypto transfers through a new special measures authority.

Galaxy compared that power to tools created after the September 11 attacks under the Patriot Act, arguing Treasury could apply the authority broadly across offshore venues and transaction rails if it labels certain jurisdictions, institutions, or transaction categories as primary money laundering concerns.

The push for a Senate framework lands as the Trump administration signals a more supportive tone toward parts of the industry, and as lawmakers try to replace enforcement led uncertainty with clearer lines on oversight, disclosures, and market conduct.

For crypto markets, the next few days will set the temperature, either lawmakers soften the draft to keep major platforms onside, or the bill slows again, leaving the industry to navigate the same patchwork of agency guidance and courtroom fights it has lived with for years.

The post Coinbase CEO Raises Red Flags Over US Crypto Bill appeared first on Cryptonews.

On-chain data suggests smart money is positioning for a potential upside move as whale accumulation accelerates. Market research firm Santiment said addresses holding between 100 and 10,000 BTC have added nearly 32,700 BTC since January 10, while retail-sized wallets continued to sell, a pattern it described as an ideal setup for the start of a bull market. Despite broader weakness in the AI token sector, Bitcoin remained resilient, rising about 1.4% and briefly topping $97,000. Ethereum traded largely flat above $3,300. Santiment noted that the longevity of the trend will depend on how long retail investors remain cautious, with sentiment still sitting in an “extremely bullish” zone.

But what else is happening in crypto news today? Follow our up-to-date live coverage below.

The post [LIVE] Crypto News Today: Latest Updates for Jan. 15, 2026 – Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $96K as Whale Buying Outpaces Retail Selling appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin inched higher to about $96,000 on Thursday as traders tracked a fresh unwind in crypto leverage and a choppy Asia open, after Wall Street slid again on weakness in US tech heavyweights.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell about 1%, and US equity index futures eased, with early signals also pointing to softer opens for Hong Kong and mainland China. South Korean and Australian gauges edged higher, keeping the regional picture uneven.

The cautious mood followed another pullback in the US. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell 1.1% on Wednesday and the S&P 500 closed 0.5% lower, as investors cut exposure to megacap technology names.

Market snapshot

Bitcoin: $96,177, up 0.8%

Ether: $3,310, down 0.2%

XRP: $2.10, up 0.2%

Total crypto market cap: $3.34 trillion, down 0.3%

Open Interest Drop Signals Crypto Market Reset

Crypto traders also kept one eye on positioning. Analysts said Bitcoin open interest has dropped more than 31% from its 2025 peak and has steadied around $10B, a deleveraging phase that followed heavy liquidations as spot trading stayed active, with volumes nearing $60B.

Bitcoin open interest plunges 31% as market deleveraging creates potential bottom formation with analysts targeting $105,000 breakout zone.#Bitcoin #OpenInteresthttps://t.co/jqikXXzthT

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 14, 2026

Some desks see the reset as constructive, especially if price holds. The move higher reflects a firmer risk on tone tied to stable US inflation and a resilient job market, creating what QCP describes as a “Goldilocks environment” where investors are piling into everything from stocks to precious metals and now crypto.

Lukman Otunuga, a senior market analyst at FXTM, said investor sentiment is being tugged in different directions as geopolitical risks, trade policy uncertainty and worries about central bank independence weigh on markets.

“While risk assets remain fragile, safe havens like gold and silver continue to shine,” he said. “With key legal and political decisions looming, volatility is likely to remain elevated, creating both risks and opportunities for traders in the week ahead.”

Macro And Political Risks Continue To Steer Markets

Oil helped set the tone for cross-asset trading. Prices fell for the first time in six days after President Donald Trump signaled he may hold off on attacking Iran for now, and traders trimmed some of the geopolitical premium that had built into crude.

Gold and silver also cooled after pushing to record highs in the prior session, as traders took stock of the latest headlines and shifted back toward risk assets in parts of the market.

Policy uncertainty stayed in the background. The US Supreme Court did not issue a ruling on challenges to Trump’s global tariffs on Wednesday, leaving markets waiting until at least next week for clarity on one of the administration’s signature economic policies.

FX traders in Asia also watched South Korea’s won after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the currency’s slide did not match the country’s fundamentals, comments that offered rare verbal support as volatility picked up.

Japan’s politics remained a live variable too. Reports and subsequent confirmation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans a snap election have kept the yen under pressure at points, and that currency swing has fed into daily moves in Japanese equities.

The post Asia Market Open: Bitcoin Edges Up Near $96K, Asian Stocks Mixed After Wall Street Tech Slide appeared first on Cryptonews.

A new draft of the Clarity Act in the United States could be a game-changer for XRP, potentially classifying it alongside Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as a non-security asset.

This shift would mark a major regulatory win for XRP and strongly support a bullish XRP price prediction, as it clears the way for greater institutional adoption.

A rule in the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act would classify tokens that are the primary assets of ETFs as 'non-ancillary' assets as of Jan 1.$XRP $LTC $HBAR $DOGE $SOL & $LINK would be equal to Bitcoin & $ETH. pic.twitter.com/dVEOEJUdV0

— ALLINCRYPTO (@RealAllinCrypto) January 13, 2026

However, this new piece of legislation would give them “non-ancillary” status, meaning that they will get the same treatment as BTC and ETH.

All tokens that have gotten their own exchange-traded product (ETP) will enjoy this treatment. Although this does not have an immediate impact on the price of XRP, it does provide further regulatory clarity for institutions that want to embrace cryptos and include them in their portfolios and treasury strategies.

XRP Price Prediction: The 200D EMA Is The Key Resistance to Watch

Wall Street’s interest in XRP has been accelerating ever since the first ETF linked to this token was launched in the U.S. Data from SoSoValue shows that these funds have pulled in over $1.5 billion in assets in just a couple of months.

Source: TradingView

XRP booked a strong gain yesterday after 7 consecutive days of losses. The daily chart shows a clear rejection of a move above the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA), making this the key resistance to watch if the price keeps rising.

A move above this line could push XPR back to $3.20. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) just hit the 14-day moving average and, depending on what the oscillator does next, it will confirm the price’s future trajectory.

Meanwhile, the token may still drop to $1.95 if bearish momentum gains traction.

Investors are increasingly paying attention to new projects and top crypto presales like Bitcoin ($HYPER) as institutional adoption accelerates. With more than $30 million raised in a short period, this Solana-based layer-2 chain for BTC seems to have popped up on their radar already.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) Helps BTC Holders Earn Passive Income Easily and Safely

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is opening the door for Bitcoin holders to finally earn yield, stake, and access DeFi without ever leaving the Bitcoin network.

Built as a side chain using Solana’s high-speed architecture, Bitcoin Hyper lowers fees and boosts transaction speeds, solving the biggest barrier to Bitcoin’s growth beyond store-of-value.

For the first time, BTC holders can tap into DeFi apps, payment platforms, and meme coin launchpads directly through Bitcoin Hyper, unlocking real utility and passive income on the world’s most secure blockchain.

As more people begin using this new Layer-2, demand for its native token $HYPER is expected to grow rapidly.

That’s why the project has already raised $30.50 million in record time, with early investors jumping in before momentum hits full speed.

To buy $HYPER at the discounted presale price, simply head to the official Bitcoin Hyper website and link up a compatible wallet (e.g. Best Wallet).

You can either swap USDT or SOL for this token or use a bank card instead.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post XRP Price Prediction: New Crypto Bill Could Give XRP the Same Legal Status as Bitcoin – What Happens If It Passes? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Last week, more than 25 members of the leading development team behind Zcash resigned, triggering a major shift in focus across the privacy coin space.

As confidence in Zcash wavers, attention has quickly turned to alternatives with Dash emerging as a top contender.

This shift in sentiment has sparked a surge in trading volumes, supporting a bullish Dash price prediction as more investors look for privacy-focused projects with stability and momentum.

Josh Swihart, former CEO of the Electric Coin Company (ECC), stated that the resignations stemmed from ongoing conflicts with Bootstrap, the non-profit tasked with overseeing the team’s work.

Over the past few weeks, it's become clear that the majority of Bootstrap board members (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to support Zcash by governing the Electric Coin Company), specifically Zaki Manian, Christina Garman, Alan Fairless, and Michelle Lai (ZCAM), have moved into…

— Josh Swihart (@jswihart) January 7, 2026

Swihart emphasized that there was a “clear misalignment” between the top priorities for Bootstrap and ECC that prevented the team from being able to do their job.

The news triggered a steep decline in the price of ZEC. At the time of writing, its 7-day losses currently sit at 17%.

In contrast, DASH has booked a 74% gain during this same period, as the market seems to have rotated toward this token and Monero (XMR) in response.

Zcash was one of the top-performing assets last year with an 827% gain. If that same buying interest rotates toward DASH, that could propel its price to levels not seen in years over the next few weeks.

Dash Price Prediction: DASH Eyes $250 After Bullish Breakout

DASH’s trading volumes have more than doubled in the past 24 hours alone, currently accounting for 130% of the asset’s circulating market cap at $1.2 billion.

Source: TradingView

This indicates that buying pressure has accelerated dramatically, causing a massive short squeeze that could keep unfolding over the next few days.

The daily chart shows that DASH has been going up for three days in a row and has broken a key resistance at $58 with strong volumes.

This sets the stage for a potential breakout, with targets at $125 and $250, offering up to 233% upside in the weeks ahead.

As the crypto market gains momentum, investor attention is shifting to promising presales like SUBBD (SUBBD).

This project introduces a powerful AI-driven platform that allows creators to monetize their AI-generated characters and content in a way that could redefine digital ownership.

SUBBD (SUBBD) Lets Creators Earn Passive Income From Their Own AI Characters

Powered by advanced AI, SUBBD ($SUBBD) is building a platform where creators can design, launch, and monetize their own AI-generated characters with ease.

Whether it’s a virtual influencer, assistant, or digital persona, creators can license and earn from their AI creations while retaining full control and ownership.

With automation handling the backend and demand for AI content growing fast, SUBBD could be one of the most exciting presales of the year.

This opens up a new passive income source for the community and allows creators to monetize their work even while they are asleep.

The $SUBBD token is at the center of everything, powering this entire ecosystem and giving creators a say on how the platform evolves.

Similarly, subscribers will use the token to get early access to new features, discounts, custom requests, and more.

To buy $SUBBD before it lists on exchanges, simply head to the official SUBBD website and link up your wallet (e.g. Best Wallet).

You can either swap USDT or ETH for this token or use a bank card to complete your purchase.

Visit the Official SUBBD Website Here

The post DASH Price Prediction: Zcash Collapses as Developers Quit – Are Traders Fleeing Straight Into DASH? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Ethereum price has jumped by 6% in the past 24 hours, with its rally to $3,328 coming after major ETH holder SharpLink provided further details of plans to generate an income from its holdings.

ETH’s current price means that it’s up by 12% in a fortnight and by 6% in a month, with the cryptocurrency market as a whole rising to $3.33 trillion today after U.S. data showed inflation remaining stable in December.

While the Ethereum price is up by only 5% in the past year, SharpLink’s discussion of how it’s going to use its ETH productively is very positive for the coin, and may encourage more institutions and corporations to increase accumulation.

And with Ethereum still being the biggest layer-one network in crypto by a wide margin, the long-term Ethereum price prediction is hugely bullish right now.

Ethereum Price Prediction: SharpLink Activates Multi-Billion ETH Strategy – How Long Until ETH Hits a New All-Time High?

Speaking on the Degenz Live YouTube channel, SharpLink CEO Joseph Chalom detailed how the company had deployed $170 million in ETH on the layer-two network Linea, and how this deployment provides a template for similar activity in the near and distant future.

In other words, Chalom wants 2026 “to be the year of productivity” for its Ethereum reserve, which could set a precedent other firms and institutions increasingly follow.

And if we look at the Ethereum price chart today, we see that its momentum is rising strongly, and the coin may have even broken out.

Most notably, its price has broken through the pennant it has been forming since August, while its MACD (orange, blue) climbed above 0 a week ago and became positive for the first time in months.

Source: TradingView

It’s a similar story with the relative strength index (yellow), which has tried to crack 70 once already in the past week, and may be about to do the same thing again very soon.

Such gains in momentum come as flows into Ethereum funds reach a modest $56 million since the beginning of January, although they have actually seen an outflow of $116 million in the seven days to January 12.

The past 24 hours have witnessed some significant transfers of ETH, including one transfer that saw a whale take 16,624 ETH off Coinbase.

We’ve also seen some massive deposits onto Ethereum’s Beacon Chain, indicating an increase in staking activity, which may or may not have any relation to SharpLink’s deployment of its ETH reserves.

Regardless, the Ethereum price prediction is looking vey encouraging, with ETH on course to top $4,000 by Q2, and to break $5,000 by H2.

SUBBD Could Be the Next Altcoin to 100x: How to Buy Early

While Ethereum is probably one of the safest cryptocurrencies you can invest in at the moment, many investors may also want to diversify into higher risk, higher reward cryptocurrencies.

This may include presale coins, which do have the potential to rally strongly when they list for the first time, sometimes outpacing the market average.

And of all the presale tokens available right now, one of the most interesting is SUBBD ($SUBBD), an Ethereum-based utility token that has raised over $1.4 million.

SUBBD is the utility token for an adult-oriented content creation platform of the same name, one which provides content creators with generative AI tools to help make them more productive.

This includes tools for ideas, tools for creating virtual adult performers, and tools for creating content, including images and videos.

By harnessing such tools, SUBBD is aiming to give users the ability to produce not only more content, but also higher quality content.

At the same time, the use of the Ethereum blockchain allows for fair and transparent payouts for creators, giving it an edge over legacy platforms.

This helps to explain why SUBBD’s presale is doing well, and also why the platform now reaches over 38,000 followers on X, an early sign of its future popularity.

Are you interested in AI Creators?
Earn from day one with SUBBD
Start here: https://t.co/9jJM0SyyiQ https://t.co/uzh4lpVa7X

— SUBBD (@SUBBDofficial) January 9, 2026

Investors can join its sale at the official SUBBD website, where the token is currently selling for $0.05745.

This will rise every few days until the sale ends, so buyers should act quickly.

Visit the Official SUBBD Website Here

The post Ethereum Price Prediction: SharpLink Activates Multi-Billion ETH Strategy – How Long Until ETH Hits a New All-Time High? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto is at a major crossroads. The unchecked speculation that fueled 2021′ bull market, and ultimately culminated in the collapse of FTX and hundreds of adjacent companies, exposed deep regulatory gaps.

However, with the advent of a pro-crypto US administration, this year could be different. Of particular importance is whether the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission follows through on Project Crypto, an initiative to modernise federal securities laws to offer crypto companies a clear framework.

At the same time, Bitcoin’s share of the overall crypto market has been declining since summer. Historically, falling Bitcoin dominance often signals renewed interest in altcoins, which means high-potential tokens such as XRP, Pepe, and ICP could lead the charge.

XRP (XRP): Payments-Focused Blockchain Eyes New Q1 Breakout

With a market capitalization over $130 billion, Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) is the largest cryptocurrency dedicated to cross-border payments, offering near-instant settlement and minimal transaction costs.

Designed primarily for banks and financial institutions, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) provides a modern alternative to legacy payment rails such as SWIFT, which are slower and more expensive.

Ripple’s technology has also been referenced by organizations including the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House, reinforcing its growing relevance among the world’s biggest organizations and institutions.

XRP reached a record high of $3.65 in mid-2025 following the resolution of Ripple’s prolonged legal dispute with the SEC. Since that seven-year peak, the token has shed approximately 41% amidst a prolonged crypto bear market and is currently trading near $2.15 having risen 4% overnight.

Momentum is accelerating this month thanks to the launch of several spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), products which give TradFi investors a regulated onramp into crypto.

Further ETF approvals and improving macroeconomic conditions could push XRP toward $5 by Q2, with a lmove toward $10 possible later in the year if fostered by key developments in regulation, the macro-economic outlook and the Ripple ecosystem.

Pepe (PEPE): You’ve Met Doge Multiple Times, Now Meet Froge

Since debuting in April 2023, Pepe ($PEPE) has climbed to become the third-largest meme coin by market value thanks to the enduring online popularity of Matt Furie’s iconic Pepe the Frog character.

With a capitalization around $2.8 billion, PEPE is the biggest non-doge meme coin in the world. Speculation around Elon Musk’s involvement briefly surged after he used a Pepe-themed profile image on X, sparking debate across crypto social media about whether he held the token.

PEPE is currently trading near $0.00000665 after rallying 12% overnight. Still, today’s price represents a decline of roughly 76% from its late-2024 all-time high of $0.00002803, following a muted summer and a lackluster close to 2025.

The token’s relative strength index (RSI) is now at 67, a sign that it could soon be overbought. This signal typically triggers a wave of profit taking, but Pepe enjoys strong support at $0.000005, so it’s unlikely to lose much of its recent gains.

Pepe rallied 69% between December 30 and January 6, which indicates that in bullish times, it still behaves like a meme coin. Meme coin volatility often exaggerates wider market movements, multiplying both gains and losses.

Internet Computer (ICP): ChatGPT Forecasts 6x Upside in Market Recovery

Internet Computer (ICP) is a blockchain designed to host decentralized applications directly on the internet, removing reliance on centralized servers and traditional cloud infrastructure.

The network’s native ICP token underpins governance, transaction fees, and network participation, enabling developers to build everything from social media platforms to enterprise-grade software in a fully decentralized environment.

Its architecture supports a censorship-resistant and scalable internet where applications operate entirely on-chain, expanding the role of both blockchain and web technologies.

In a Q1 bull market, ICP could increase fivefold to around $20 from its current price of $3.82, especially if investors attention circles altcoins.

Over the past 24 hours, ICP surged a staggering 18%, capping gains of 35% in the last fortnight, so investors appear to be majorly bullish on it. Back in November, the token jumped 53% from $3.87 to $5.92 following an announcement from Dfinity introducing Caffeine, an AI system capable of generating applications from scratch.

Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): It looks like a meme coin; it’s really a high-performance Bitcoin upgrade.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a Bitcoin layer-2 project that blends cartoon aesthetics with ambitious technical objectives, aiming to deliver faster transactions, lower fees, and competitive smart contract capabilities to Bitcoin.

Built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), Bitcoin Hyper features decentralized governance and includes a Canonical Bridge designed to enable seamless cross-chain transfers involving Bitcoin.

The project’s presale has already secured around $30.5 million, and analysts believe the token could see significant upside once it hits exchanges. A recent audit by Coinsult found no critical security issues in the smart contract.

The HYPER token serves multiple purposes, including transaction fees, governance participation, and staking incentives.

Those who buy during the presale can currently access staking rewards of up to 38% APY, though yields decrease as the staking pool grows.

With a full launch targeted for 2026, Bitcoin Hyper serves as a gateway for both long-term Bitcoin holders and newcomers into the next iteration of Bitcoin.

Visit the official presale website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.

Visit the Official Website Here

The post Best Crypto to Buy Now January 14 – XRP, PEPE, Internet Computer appeared first on Cryptonews.

OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI, ChatGPT, predicts ambitious end-of-year price targets for three of the largest cryptocurrencies, XRP, Ethereum, and Solana, offering a glimmer of hope for investors who expect big things from crypto this year.

According to the AI model, the emergence of a full-scale bull market supported by US regulators could push these assets to new all-time highs (ATHs) over the next cycle.

Here is ChatGPT suspects these major digital assets could perform during a 2026 bull run.

XRP (XRP): ChatGPT Sees XRP Reaching $10 by 2027

Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) opened the year with strong momentum, posting a 19% gain in the first week. In the last 24 hours, XRP rose 4% to hit $2.15. ChatGPT suggests that if bullish conditions persist, XRP could reach $10 by 2027.

Source: ChatGPT

XRP ranked among the top-performing large-cap cryptocurrencies for much of last year. In July, it recorded its first new ATH in seven years, reaching $3.65 after Ripple secured a decisive victory in its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

That ruling significantly eased regulatory uncertainty surrounding XRP and reduced fears that the SEC count treat similar altcoins as securities.

While XRP has climbed 15% since New Year’s Eve, its Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains a neutral 54.

However, the road to ChatGPT’s bullish projection would require significantly more steam; XRP would need to rise roughly 365% to hit $10.

The recent rollout of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. is drawing new institutional inflows, echoing the strong demand seen following the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Ethereum (ETH): ChatGPT Models a Potential Rally Toward $9,000

Ethereum ($ETH), the foundation of smart contracts, decentralized applications, and the broader DeFi ecosystem, remains the leading platform for Web3 innovation.

With a market capitalization of nearly $400 billion and over $75 billion in total value locked (TVL) across DeFi protocols, Ethereum continues to be crypto’s biggest hub of commercial activity.

DEthereum’s proven security, reliable settlement infrastructure, and central role in stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization position it as one of the likeliest candidates for increased institutional adoption, particularly if U.S. lawmakers advance comprehensive crypto regulation.

Ethereum currently trades at $3,290, with strong resistance around $5,000—it’s ATH is $4,946.05 posted back in August.

If ChatGPT’s bull case comes to fruition, a clear breakout above $5,000 could pave the way for a new ATH between $6,000 and $9,000.

Solana (SOL): ChatGPT Projects SOL at $600

Solana ($SOL) heads into 2026 as one of the fastest-growing smart contract platforms in the crypto sector. The network now supports approximately $9.2 billion in TVL and boasts a market capitalization well above $81 billion, alongside rapidly expanding developer and user activity.

The launch of Solana-focused ETFs by asset managers such as Bitwise and Grayscale has reignited investor interest, with many drawing comparisons to the early ETF adoption cycles of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

After experiencing a steep pullback in late 2025, SOL has rebounded into a key support range, gaining 5% over the past week to trade near $144.

In a highly bullish outlook, ChatGPT estimates Solana could climb to $600 in 2026, representing a roughly 200% increase from current levels and doubling its previous ATH of $293 recorded last January.

Solana’s narrative remains one of the strongest among altcoins. Rising institutional interest in real-world asset tokenization on Solana, led by firms such as Franklin Templeton and BlackRock, continues to hint at SOL’s long-term growth potential.

Maxi Doge (MAXI): High-Risk Meme Coin Play With Explosive Upside Potential

Outside of ChatGPT’s purview, the presale market continues to offer speculative early-stage opportunities.

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is one of January’s most talked-about presales, raising more than $4.4 million ahead of its anticipated exchange debut.

The project introduces a swaggering, muscle-bound spin on Dogecoin’s Doge. Loud, unapologetic, and deliberately absurd, Maxi Doge embraces the irreverent spirit that originally defined meme coin culture.

After years of sitting on the sidelines watching his cousin DOGE blow up, Maxi Doge is mobilizing a degen army united by meme conviction, max-leveraged trading strategies, and a fearless attitude toward volatility.

MAXI is an ERC-20 token built on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network, giving it a significantly lower carbon footprint than Dogecoin’s proof-of-work model.

The current presale stage offers staking rewards of up to 69% APY, though yields decrease as participation rises. MAXI is priced at $0.000278 in the latest round, with automatic price increases planned for subsequent phases. Tokens can be purchased using MetaMask or Best Wallet.

Maxi is sending Dogecoin back to the kennel with his tail between his legs!

Stay updated through Maxi Doge’s official X and Telegram pages.

Visit the Official Website Here

The post New ChatGPT Predicts the Price of XRP, Ethereum and Solana By the End of 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Pi Coin is feeling the weight of increasing supply, with mainnet migrations and daily token unlocks limiting its short-term momentum.

Roughly $1 million worth of PI is being released into circulation each day, while KYC-based migrations continue introducing locked balances into the open market.

At the same time, capital is starting to rotate into altcoins, helping PI absorb some of the added supply.

As Pi Network moves from a closed ecosystem to full mainnet functionality, investors are watching closely to see if demand can keep up and whether the bullish PI coin price prediction still holds.

Pi 30-day Pi token unlock schedule. Source: Piscan.

This steady release of newly transferable tokens boosts liquidity at price levels where demand is still selective, making rebounds more likely to die than become long-term trends.

A cycle that feeds into Pi Network’s biggest problem: adoption. It lacks a meaningful use case to sustain long-term growth, leaving price action vulnerable to short-term speculative trading.

However, that dynamic may finally be shifting. The recent rollout of developer toolkits like the streamlined in-app payment integration library allows DApps to add core functionality in minutes.

As the new year starts, it’s time to build! Pi Network has released a new developer library that enables Pi payments to be integrated into Pi apps in under ten minutes. The library combines the Pi SDK and backend APIs into a single setup, reducing integration time across common…

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) January 9, 2026

By fast-tracking common integrations like this, Pi Network becomes a more attractive platform for builders, contributing to a thriving ecosystem that drives adoption.

It could mark a turning point for sticky, lasting demand to balance the scales against an expanding supply.

Pi Coin Price Prediction: Price Action Could Soon Catch On

More favorable demand dynamics could push the Pi coin price to escape the 3-month parallel channel consolidation created by its liquidity struggle.

PI USDT 1-day chart, parallel channel pattern. Source: TradingView.

Momentum indicators are finally seeing sustained traction. The RSI is back to pushing for a break above the signal line after its brief lapse, showing underlying strength.

The MACD reads much the same, narrowly avoiding a death cross below the signal line as buyers retain control of the prevailing trend.

The key breakout threshold sits around the channel’s upper resistance at $0.285. With a higher and firmer footing here, a 100% breakout move to $0.42 could be in focus.

Over the long-term, the introduction of fresh use cases with adoption from developers and users could put past resistance around $0.65 into focus for a 210% gain.

Bitcoin Hyper: The Biggest Layer-1 Just Got Better

Those who chose alternative layer-1s like Pi Network over the leading cryptocurrency may soon need to reconsider, as the Bitcoin ecosystem finally tackles its biggest limitation: scalability.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bridging Bitcoin’s security with Solana tech, creating a new Layer-2 network that unlocks scalable, efficient use cases Bitcoin couldn’t support on its own.

Whatever Solana can do, Bitcoin could soon do too.

The project has already raised almost $30.5 million in presale, and post-launch, even a small fraction of Bitcoin’s massive trading volume could send its valuation significantly higher.

Bitcoin Hyper is fixing the slow transactions, high fees, and limited programmability that have long capped Bitcoin’s potential – just as the market turns bullish.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Pi Coin Price Prediction: Mainnet Tokens Just Unlocked – What Does This Mean for Holders? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Zcash Foundation said this week that a years-long investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission has ended without any enforcement action, bringing regulatory clarity to one of the crypto industry’s most closely watched privacy projects at a time of heightened volatility for the token.

In a notice published Wednesday, the foundation confirmed that the SEC had “concluded its review” of an inquiry tied to “certain crypto asset offerings.”

We are pleased to announce that the SEC has concluded its review and informed us that it does not intend to recommend any enforcement action or other changes against Zcash Foundation regarding this matter. https://t.co/zjxfh3mmst

— Zcash Foundation (@ZcashFoundation) January 14, 2026

The probe began in August 2023, when the foundation received a subpoena as part of a broader SEC effort to assess whether specific digital asset offerings fell under federal securities laws.

The case was internally designated SF-04569 and remained open for more than two years.

Zcash’s Privacy Model Back in Spotlight After SEC Review Closes

The foundation said the outcome reflected its cooperation throughout the process and its focus on operating within existing regulatory requirements.

It added that its work would remain centered on advancing privacy-preserving financial infrastructure. The SEC did not issue a public statement on the matter, but the foundation said it had received confirmation that the review was formally closed.

The decision comes amid renewed market activity around Zcash, with ZEC trading around $439 on Wednesday, up roughly 13% over the most recent trading period, with 24-hour trading volume climbing more than 30% to about $881 million.

Source: CoinGecko

Despite the rebound, the token remains far below its early-cycle peak, trading more than 86% under its all-time high of $3,191 set during the 2017 bull market.

One of the most prevalent aspects of privacy-oriented cryptocurrency has always been the regulatory oversight of such initiatives, which have been based on cryptographic solutions to conceal the information on transactions and remain functional in the open blockchain.

Zcash was introduced in 2016, and it uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable users to transact shielded transactions without the information about the sender, receiver, or amount being disclosed.

That design has put it in the middle of multiple discussions on financial surveillance, compliance, and the boundaries of privacy on-chain many times.

SEC’s Zcash Decision Mirrors Evolving U.S. Regulatory Playbook

The SEC’s review of the Zcash Foundation unfolded alongside other inquiries touching the ecosystem.

In past correspondence, the agency sought analysis from Grayscale Investments on whether ZEC could be classified as a security in the context of its Zcash Trust.

SEC officials have also engaged directly with Zcash founder Zooko Wilcox, including participation in roundtable discussions on privacy technologies and regulatory oversight.

The closure of the Zcash probe also fits into a broader shift in US crypto enforcement since 2025.

Under new leadership and following the appointment of Paul Atkins as SEC chair, the agency has dropped or settled a string of high-profile cases launched during the prior administration.

Paul Atkins was sworn in as SEC Chairman on Monday, and is expected to have a private ceremony with President Trump at the Oval Office today.#PaulAtkins #SECChair https://t.co/lqyUZN3B7H

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) April 22, 2025

Lawsuits against Coinbase and Kraken were dismissed without penalties, investigations into Robinhood’s crypto unit, Uniswap Labs, OpenSea, and Gemini were closed, and a multi-year inquiry into Ondo Finance ended without charges late last year.

While the SEC has continued to pursue cases involving alleged fraud, the pattern has pointed toward a pullback from expansive enforcement actions tied to token classification alone.

The end of the SEC probe arrives during a turbulent moment internally for Zcash, as last week, governance disputes between the Electric Coin Company and the nonprofit Bootstrap escalated into a public split, with core developers leaving to form a new independent entity.

@ Zcash Split Update: $ZEC slides 16% as Bootstrap blames nonprofit rules, not mission misalignment, or the split#Zcash #BlockchainGovernancehttps://t.co/62gTfuz4lx

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 8, 2026

That episode briefly weighed on market sentiment, even as network operations continued uninterrupted and project leaders stressed that the conflict did not affect Zcash’s underlying security or privacy guarantees.

The post Zcash Foundation in the Clear: SEC Ends Years-Long Probe With No Enforcement Action appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ripple, the XRP parent company, has today been cleared to scale payment across Europe after it secured the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).

The XRP price prediction suggests that the EMI approval would enable Ripple to offer cross-border payments, potentially pushing its token price toward $3.00.

EU License Enables Real-Time Payment Infrastructure

According to an official release, the EU license helps Ripple support EU institutions transitioning from legacy technology to seamless, real-time, 24/7 payments.

“The EU was amongst the first major jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive digital assets regulation, which provides the certainty financial institutions need to move blockchain from pilots to commercial scale,” said Monica Long, President at Ripple.

We’re on a roll with licensing momentum! @Ripple has secured preliminary approval for an EMI license from Luxembourg’s CSSF. This is a major milestone that will allow us to scale Ripple Payments across all 27 EU and EEA member states.
Huge congrats to the team for years of… https://t.co/FYWHRmf99N

— Stuart Alderoty (@s_alderoty) January 14, 2026

The Luxembourg approval follows last week’s announcement that Ripple received its EMI license and Cryptoasset Registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

These EU and UK licenses expand Ripple’s portfolio to more than 75 regulatory licenses worldwide, making it one of the most licensed crypto companies globally.

Ripple Payments continues scaling globally, reaching over 90% of daily FX markets and processing over $95 billion in volume to date.

This regulatory progress has reflected in token price appreciation.

In the last 18 months, XRP experienced more than 200% rise in price and is currently trading around $2.13 with a nearly $130 billion market cap as the 5th largest crypto asset.

Despite consolidation, Ripple is up over 13% in 2026. Analysts observe it’s preparing for another rally above $3.00.

A Hyperliquid whale was spotted opening nearly $2 million LONG position on XRP with 20x leverage at approximately $2.12, showing smart money is returning to ride the next rally.

XRP Price Prediction: Weekly Chart Shows Corrective Structure

The 1-week XRP chart displays market correcting within a broader bullish structure, with price stabilizing above critical $2.00 support.

XRP trades around $2.10-$2.15, holding above both the psychological $2.00 level and rising base, suggesting buyers defend higher lows despite prolonged pullback.

The descending trendline from the previous cycle high remains dominant resistance, capping price action.

The $3.05 region stands out as the most important upside level, marking a prior breakout zone and a major liquidity area.

Source: TradingView

Previous rallies of roughly 70% and 38% both stalled here, reinforcing it as a key supply zone.

Price is compressing within a tightening range, which often precedes directional movement.

RSI holds in mid-40s, indicating neutral momentum but no panic selling.

Historically, XRP builds bases in this RSI region before resuming upside when price holds major support.

The 9-week SMA is flattening near the current price, suggesting selling pressure is fading, and the market is transitioning from distribution into accumulation.

If XRP holds above $2.00 and reclaims the descending trendline with a strong weekly close, the probability increases for a push toward $2.70-$3.05 resistance.

A clean break above $3.05 would confirm trend shift and open pathways for larger expansion.

Maxi Doge Presale Offers Investors 70% APY Ahead of XRP Rally.

If XRP reclaims $3.00 and resumes a bullish trajectory, presale projects like Maxi Doge (MAXI) would attract capital from investors pursuing high ROI opportunities.

Maxi Doge is an early-stage memecoin following the Dogecoin playbook, which helped it surge over 10x during the 2023-2024 breakout.

The presale has established an alpha channel to help traders share trade ideas, mirroring early Dogecoin days.

MAXI presale has raised over $4.47 million and offers 70% annual staking rewards for early participants at the current $0.000278 price.

To buy early, visit the official Maxi Doge website and connect a crypto wallet like Best Wallet.

You can pay with USDT, ETH, or use a bank card immediately.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post XRP Price Prediction: Ripple Cleared to Scale Payments Across Europe — Will XRP Hit $3 Next? appeared first on Cryptonews.

We are mid-January, and the crypto market is starting to look better. Bitcoin has reclaimed $95,000, and price prediction for altcoins like XRP, PEPE, and Maxi Doge are turning higher.

These altcoins remain some of the strongest in the market and offer solid upside potential going forward.

Fundamentally, XRP is as strong as it gets. Meanwhile, memecoins like PEPE and Maxi Doge are expected to lead the sector throughout 2026. Below is how crypto price prediction are expected to play out for these three going forward.

Bitcoin (BTC)

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XRP Crypto Price Prediction: $2.20 Breakout Comes Into Focus

Ripple (XRP) did finish 2025 on a rough note price-wise, but under the hood, the ecosystem kept moving forward.

Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, alone grew to over a $1.3B market cap in 2025, and the team is still pushing to expand it and grab more market share, especially with stablecoins shaping up to be a big part of crypto’s future.

Source: XRPUSD / TradingView

XRP price is moving toward the $2.50 area, which has been the main resistance zone since November. That move would likely only happen if the XRP chart manages to break and hold above the immediate resistance at $2.20.

The RSI is sitting around 59, showing building momentum and still far from overbought. A rejection at current levels would likely send XRP back toward the $2.00 zone.

The overall setup remains bullish as long as price holds above $2.00. The broader market pump is also supporting XRP, making the bullish scenario more likely as long as market momentum continues.

PEPE Price Prediction: Can the January Rally Delete a Zero?

PEPE price has gained over 60% since the start of January, making it the best performer among the top 10 memecoins.

If the market keeps moving the way it is, this memecoin outperformance could continue as investors become more flexible and willing to take on risk-on assets.

PEPE price went through a small downtrend for a couple of days after the explosive jump at the beginning of January. That pullback ended quickly, and the PEPE chart is now heading toward a retest of the recent high.

If price manages to break above that level, deleting a zero would likely become the first target of this rally.

If it gets rejected instead, the $0.000006 support level is the key area to watch. The RSI is sitting around 60, signaling rising momentum and leaving room for the move to continue.

If PEPE and the broader crypto market revive the way many expect, investors may start rotating into fresh memecoins. That is why Maxi Doge is gaining attention, and below is exactly why.

Maxi Doge ($MAXI): Where Memecoin Momentum Could Rotate Next

As large-cap memecoins like PEPE start pushing higher and risk appetite clearly returns, history shows capital rarely stops at the winners. It rotates. And that rotation usually favors newer, higher-volatility plays with more room to run.

That is exactly where Maxi Doge sits.

MAXI is built as a pure memecoin, no complex narratives, no long-term tech promises. It is designed for momentum, community-driven hype, and speculative upside, which is the exact environment memecoins thrive in when the market turns risk-on.

What separates Maxi Doge from many other meme launches is the added staking layer. Holders can stake MAXI for daily smart-contract rewards, with APY currently sitting around 70%, giving traders yield while waiting for price expansion.

At a price near $0.0002775, Maxi Doge is still early in its lifecycle and approaching its next presale price increase. That combination of early positioning, high volatility, and incentive-driven holding is what often fuels the strongest percentage moves once memecoin momentum accelerates.

If 2026 turns into a year where memecoins reclaim attention after one of their worst cycles on record, Maxi Doge stands out as one of the more asymmetric bets in the space.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

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BonkFun has moved to reset the economics of meme coin launches on Solana, announcing a sharp cut to creator fees that signals a renewed fight for relevance in an increasingly crowded launchpad market.

In a post on X, the team behind BonkFun said it is introducing “BONK Classic” launches with zero creator fees and a reduced 0.30% swap fee, with most of that fee routed back into liquidity.

Everyone agrees creator fees are too damn high!

Today is the first step in bringing the trenches more in line. First, we are introducing BONK Classic launches. BONK Classic launches are an opportunity to bring the trenches back to their former glory.

– NO creator fees
– 0.30%… pic.twitter.com/zqtxzpr07T

— BONK.fun (@bonkfun) January 14, 2026

The structure mirrors the setup that dominated meme coin trading in 2024, a period many traders associate with explosive runs on Raydium-based tokens that reached multi-billion-dollar market capitalizations.

BonkFun Shifts Fee Model as Meme Coin Activity Fragments

The change comes at a time when meme coin activity remains high but fragmented, with traders showing clear sensitivity to fees and incentives.

BonkFun framed the update as a response to widespread frustration that creator fees have become too expensive and misaligned with trader interests.

Under the new Classic model, creators earn nothing from trading activity, while liquidity depth is prioritized to support smoother price action.

Alongside this, BonkFun is keeping an alternative path open through its “BONKERS” launches, where swap fees are reduced by as much as 50% while creator fees can be increased significantly for communities that want long-term revenue streams.

In those cases, rewards will now be paid entirely in a single quote asset, such as USD-denominated tokens, rather than split between assets.

BonkFun, also known as LetsBONK.fun, launched in April 2025 as a joint effort between the BONK community and Raydium. It quickly became a central venue for no-code meme coin creation on Solana.

Within three days of launch, more than 2,700 tokens were created, and roughly $800,000 in fees were generated, helping push BONK’s price more than 50% higher in its first week.

By July 2025, the platform had overtaken Pump.fun in market share, capturing over 55% of Solana’s token issuance during peak periods.

A defining feature of its early success was its creator fee model, which offered developers a share of trading fees while routing a large portion of platform revenue into BONK buybacks and burns.

Meme Coin Wars: Did a Fee Shake-Up Just Reshape the Launch Race

That model, however, has come under pressure as market conditions shifted. Data from the past 24 hours shows Pump.fun firmly back in the lead, with nearly 30,000 new tokens launched, over $109 million in trading volume, and more than $1.27 million in daily fees.

Source: Dune/adamhec

BonkFun, by comparison, recorded under 2,000 new tokens, about $8 million in volume, and just under $100,000 in fees.

Graduated tokens and active addresses tell a similar story, highlighting how quickly momentum can move between platforms.

Source: Dune/adamhec

The fee reset also lands days after Pump.fun announced its overhaul of creator incentives, introducing tools that allow fees to be split across multiple wallets.

@Pump.fun introduces creator fee sharing to fix incentive issues for teams and curb risky, low-effort coin launches.https://t.co/Jrd1XOUZWu

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 9, 2026

Pump.fun said the goal was to correct incentives that had made coin creation low risk while leaving traders exposed, a problem that has long defined meme coin markets.

BonkFun’s shift back toward zero creator fees for certain launches reflects that same tension between fair launches and developer rewards.

Before creator fees became common, meme coins relied almost entirely on hype, fair distribution, and trading volume, often producing sharp rallies followed by brutal reversals.

Fees were later introduced to reduce rug pulls and encourage longer-term engagement, but they also raised costs for traders and changed behavior.

Source: CoinGecko

Market reaction has been cautiously positive so far, with the BONK token trading around $0.000012, up more than 8% over the past 24 hours, with trading volume jumping nearly 86% to over $300 million.

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