January 11, 2026 @ 10:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s top anti-graft official has warned that the absence of clear laws governing online crowdfunding has opened the door to widespread abuse of public donations, as authorities probe alleged misuse linked to high-profile fundraising campaigns. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki said irresponsible… Read More

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 @ 6:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adyen‘s (AMS: ADYEN) latest Retail Report for the US unveils a surge in consumer trust for AI-driven shopping. Released this month, the report highlights how artificial intelligence is evolving from a mere recommendation tool to a full-fledged autonomous buyer, potentially reshaping the entire commerce landscape…. Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 6:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

DailyPay, the provider of on-demand pay platforms, has announced the closure of a new $195 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The deal positions the company for expanded operations and innovation in the financial wellness sector. DailyPay, which is headquartered in New York, specializes in… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 3:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cowbell, a provider of adaptive cyber and specialty insurance solutions, has unveiled its “Next Cycle” initiative. Announced on January 5, 2025, from Pleasanton, California, this phase emphasizes sustained growth, operational profitability, and aggressive global expansion. The company, which caters primarily to small and mid-market organizations… 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 @ 3:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Akur8, a provider of insurance pricing and reserving solutions, announced its acquisition of Matrisk AI. This latest move integrates powerful filings search and market intelligence capabilities into Akur8’s AI-driven platform, empowering insurers with deeper regulatory various insights and competitive advantages. Akur8 has established itself as… 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 @ 3:05 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

This week, Spangle AI, an agentic infrastructure layer announced a $15M Series A. The round was led by NewRoad Capital Partners, with participation from Madrona, DNX Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, and strategic angel investors, bringing total funding to $21M. The funding comes as shopping decisions increasingly… Read More

January 11, 2026 @ 1:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Nasdaq said Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) will join the Nasdaq-100 Index and a set of related benchmarks on Jan. 20, 2026, replacing AstraZeneca, in a change that could prompt portfolio rebalancing among funds that track the widely followed gauge. The exchange operator said the move will… 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 11, 2026 @ 2:17 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Yowpay, a technology company specializing in SEPA-based account-to-account payment solutions, is partnering with Akurateco, a white-label payment software provider used by PSPs, enterprise merchants, and banks worldwide. Through this integration, Akurateco’s clients, including payment service providers (PSPs) and enterprise merchants, will gain streamlined access to… Read More