Blockchain & Digital Assets

January 11, 2026 @ 6:15 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

After a few weeks off, Web3 Thoughts of the Week returns with commentary on Ethereum, Bitcoin and the impacts from Venezuela. “While some myopic pundits are hyper-focused on the price of ETH, they are missing the huge institutional adoption cementing Ethereum as the new king… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 6:13 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Ilya Volkov, co-founder and CEO of YouHodler, believes 2026 will see continued mainstream progression for Bitcoin, AI, stablecoins and more. Read on to learn ore. In 2026, Bitcoin will graduate from alternative asset to global macro asset “We are witnessing Bitcoin’s transition into the global… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

PhotonPay, a stablecoin-based payments infrastructure provider, said it had raised a Series B funding round of “tens of millions of dollars” led by IDG Capital, as investors step up bets on blockchain-enabled rails for cross-border commerce. Hillhouse Investment also participated alongside Enlight Capital, Lightspeed Faction,… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

WisdomTree (NYSE: WT) has officially abandoned its efforts to introduce an exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on XRP in the American market. The company submitted a formal request to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pull back its application, marking a retreat from a… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Colombia’s tax authority has rolled out enhanced regulations for cryptocurrency transactions, aligning with burgeoning worldwide protocols designed to promote transparency in digital assets. This development comes at a time when nations globally are grappling with the expansion of crypto markets, seeking to integrate them into… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fireblocks, a provider of digital asset infrastructure, has this past week announced its acquisition of Tres Finance. This acquisition integrates crypto accounting capabilities into Fireblocks’ ecosystem, creating what the company describes as the first complete operating system for digital assets. The deal underscores the convergence… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the volatile world of web3 and blockchain-powered cryptocurrencies, a stark reality has emerged: more than half of all digital coins have met their demise. According to a recent report from CoinGecko, as of December 31, 2025, the majority or 53.2% of cryptocurrencies tracked on… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Rain, which provides infrastructure that lets companies issue stablecoin-linked wallets and payment cards, said it raised $250 million in a Series C round led by ICONIQ, valuing the company at $1.95 billion. The financing also drew participation from Sapphire Ventures, Dragonfly, Bessemer Venture Partners, Galaxy… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BNY (NYSE: BK) has launched new digital cash capabilities by enabling the on-chain mirrored representation of client deposit balances on its Digital Assets platform. Announced recently, this initiative represents the first concrete step in BNY’s strategy to tokenize bank deposits, paving the way for real-time,… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 12:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced on January 10, 2026, that the committee will hold a markup session for comprehensive digital asset market structure legislation.  Scheduled for January 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST, this move signals a renewed push… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 5:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong is now said to be pushing ahead with enhanced oversight in the web3 and cryptocurrency sector by rolling out mandatory licensing for virtual asset dealers and custodians. This step reportedly aims to broaden the city’s regulatory net, moving past its earlier focus solely… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:16 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a recent demonstration of international collaboration, Operation Sentinel has delivered a major blow to cybercrime networks across Africa. Coordinated by INTERPOL under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), this month-long initiative from October 27 to November 27, 2025, resulted in the arrest of… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 10:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a rather concerning case that highlights vulnerabilities within France’s public institutions, a 32-year-old ex-tax agent named Ghalia C. remains behind bars following her involvement in a scheme that allegedly facilitated attacks and data breaches. Employed previously at the Bobigny tax office in Seine-Saint-Denis, Ghalia… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 5:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainlink solidified its position as a key part of onchain finance, as detailed in their recent blog post recapping 2025’s achievements. The latest update from Chainlink paints a picture of steady blockchain / crypto and web3 adoption across governments, financial institutions, and decentralized ecosystems. From… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 5:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ecosystem of blockchain, web3, and decentralized cryptocurrency platforms, security remains a paramount objective but still not enough is being done to ensure adequate consumer protection and safeguard user assets. CertiK, a blockchain security firm, has recently shared several key updates that underscore its… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 5:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Anchorage Digital has commemorated five years since becoming the first crypto firm to secure a federal bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in January 2021. This achievement not only challenged preconceptions about the compatibility of digital assets and stringent… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 10:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In 2025, the cryptocurrency and web3 landscape experienced unprecedented growth, driven by regulatory clarity, technological advancements, meaningful product development, and surging user adoption. As expected, crypto exchanges Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) and Binance played instrumental roles in this evolution, each carving out distinct niches while propelling digital… Read More

January 10, 2026 @ 10:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Kraken continues to solidify its position as a leader in institutional services and global expansion. Recent announcements from the exchange highlight its commitment to security, innovation, and regulatory compliance. First, Kraken Custody has been selected as the custody partner for Ethena’s USDe protocol, enhancing asset… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong’s financial sector is currently undergoing a significant digital transformation, positioning itself as a hub in global finance. In a recent update shared by Oliver Wyman featuring Bonnie Y Chan, CEO of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), it was noted that… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BitMEX noted in a report that the perpetual futures decentralized exchange (perp DEX) market is undergoing transformation in 2026, with trading volumes surging and competition intensifying. Amid rivals like Hyperliquid and Aster focusing on high-performance execution for crypto natives, Lighter ($LIT) is seemingly carving a… Read More