Last updated on January 20th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Hey crypto fam,
This Week at a Glance
- US Senate delays the CLARITY Act, extending regulatory uncertainty
- Bitcoin breaks $94,000 as long-term holders refuse to sell
- Banks complete cross-border tokenized bond settlements using fiat and stablecoins
- Prediction markets hit a record $701.7 million in trading volume
- Ripple secures preliminary approval for a Luxembourg EMI license ahead of MiCA
This week, crypto moved on two fronts: price strength and regulatory pressure. Bitcoin surged past $94,000 as long-term holders stayed firm, while institutions pushed deeper into tokenized finance through bank-led settlement trials and IPO filings. At the same time, governments across Europe, Africa, and beyond tightened enforcement. With prediction markets hitting record volumes and Ripple advancing its MiCA strategy. It looks like crypto’s next phase is gradually starting to take shape.
In this weekend’s roundup, we break down the key market trends, regulatory risks, and institutional moves shaping crypto’s future into 2026. We cover the developments that count. Subscribe to stay updated.
Lead Story of the Week:
US Senate Delays CLARITY Act Markup, Prolonging Crypto Regulatory Uncertainty
Senate committees have postponed the markup of the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act to the final week of January to secure bipartisan support, as divisions persist over stablecoins, DeFi regulation, and SEC–CFTC oversight. The delay slows momentum on a bill meant to define crypto market structure and federal authority, extending uncertainty into 2026.
Why it matters: The decision could determine whether comprehensive US crypto regulation advances in 2026 or remains stalled, shaping innovation, compliance, and investment confidence. Read the full story
Other News Making Waves
Markets & Trading
- Bitcoin breaks $94K as long-term holders stay put (More)
Bitcoin climbed toward $97,500 after breaking the $94,200 resistance level, signalling renewed bullish momentum. On-chain data shows Value Days Destroyed (VDD) near 0.53, meaning long-term holders are largely refraining from selling.
This low selling pressure suggests the rally is driven by genuine demand rather than short-term speculative activity.
- Retail traders return to Bitcoin and Ether as altcoin rallies fade (More)
Following October’s massive liquidation event, retail investors quickly moved back into Bitcoin and Ether. Altcoin rallies became much shorter, reflecting weaker trader conviction and risk appetite.
Several reports say this shift shows retail investors are playing it safe, focusing on liquidity and protecting their money, similar to what institutions do. While market confidence is getting better, altcoins are still slow as we head into 2026.
- SHIB exchange balances drop 80 trillion as whales accumulate (More)
Centralized exchanges saw 80 trillion SHIB withdrawn since December, dropping balances from 370.3T to 290.3T tokens. Key wallets moved 82 trillion tokens, giving whales greater control over supply. Reduced exchange liquidity limits immediate selling pressure, favouring long-term holders.
Analysts think this is a strategic move, connected to Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade and the growth of Web3. It could mean more bullish cycles are coming, even if there is short-term volatility.
On-Chain & Investor Behaviour
- On-chain data showed muted Bitcoin exchange flows and a SOPR near 1, indicating patient, long-term holding. (More)
- A governance dispute between Aave DAO and Aave Labs drove AAVE volatility, even as whales accumulated tokens. (More)
Institutions, Payments & TradFi–Crypto Integration
- Swift and major banks completed a trial settling tokenized bonds using fiat and stablecoins across platforms. (More)
- Singapore Gulf Bank partnered with J.P. Morgan Payments to enable 24/7 USD clearing via Wire 365. (More)
Corporate & Industry Developments
- Ripple secured preliminary approval for an EMI license in Luxembourg, advancing its MiCA compliance strategy. (More)
- KRAKacquisition Corp, backed by a Kraken affiliate, filed for a $250 million Nasdaq IPO targeting crypto infrastructure. (More)
- Prediction markets hit a record $701.7 million in trading volume led by Kalshi. (More)
Regulation & Policy Watch
- The US Senate Banking Committee delayed its crypto market structure bill to continue bipartisan talks. (More)
- Coinbase withdrew support for the CLARITY Act, warning it could harm DeFi, stablecoins, and consumer privacy. (More)
- The UK government dropped plans for mandatory digital IDs for employment checks after public backlash. (More)
- Pakistan is exploring the use of USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments. (More)
- France warned unlicensed crypto firms risk shutdowns ahead of the MiCA deadline. (More)
Market Movers: Winners and Losers
Top 5 Gainers 📈
- Pirate Chain +167.08%, from $0.225643 to $0.602642
- DebtReliefBot +193.92%, from $0.00011344 to $0.00033342
- Kled AI +98.98%, from $0.02080839 to $0.04140528
- Dash +113.82%, from $37.84 to $80.91
- River +110.53%, from $11.87 to $24.99
Top 5 Losers 📉
- UCHAIN -49.48%, from $1,802.58 to $910.71
- Lava Network -36.38%, from $0.124882 to $0.079453
- Prom -13.57%, from $7.22 to $6.24
- Lighter -35.93%, from $2.95 to $1.89
- Power Protocol -35.80%, from $0.227408 to $0.145997
Data source: CoinGecko
Project Spotlight
Visa Enables Global Stablecoin Payouts via BVNK Partnership
Visa has partnered with UK-based BVNK to let merchants receive payments in USDC and USDP across 26 countries, with instant conversion into 45+ local currencies. The integration leverages Visa Direct and BVNK’s regulated infrastructure to speed up payouts for contractors, gig workers, and e-commerce operators while reducing costs by up to 80% compared to traditional wires.
Why It Matters:
This partnership connects traditional finance with blockchain, making stablecoins useful for global payments and showing they are being used more in real-world business.
Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.
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