Deus X Capital's Tim Grant wants real talk only when he's speaking to others in the crypto industry. Deus X is a family office-backed investment and operating company that focuses on unlocking value across capital markets, fintech and digital assets to help build a fairer, more accessible financial system. Led by CEO Grant, Deus X began with roughly $1 billion in assets and operates globally with offices in London, Malta and the UAE. Grant will be speaking at CoinDesk's Consensus Hong Kong conference in ...

Core Thesis - Circle Internet Group is facing a bearish outlook due to its financial performance being heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors rather than its own strategic decisions [1][3]. Company Overview - Circle Internet Group, Inc. operates as a platform and market infrastructure for stablecoin and blockchain applications, issuing USDC and EURC, which are fully reserved and regulated stablecoins [2]. - USDC has gained significant adoption as a payment stablecoin across various platforms, making Circle a key player in the digital finance ecosystem [2]. Revenue Dynamics - Circle's revenue is primarily derived from interest income on reserves backing its stablecoins, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in short-term interest rates and the supply of USDC in circulation [3]. - High interest rates and increased demand for stablecoins can lead to revenue surges, while declines in either can negatively impact revenue regardless of Circle's operational performance [3]. External Factors - The company's revenue-sharing arrangements with distribution partners like Coinbase and Binance complicate its financial outlook, as these partners control significant on- and off-ramps for USDC [4]. - The more revenue Circle shares with partners to maintain distribution, the less value is returned to shareholders, even with overall ecosystem growth [4]. Structural Tensions - Circle is crucial in the stablecoin market, benefiting from scale, brand trust, and regulatory advancements, but remains exposed to macroeconomic cycles, crypto market sentiment, and partner negotiations [5]. - These external pressures can overshadow Circle's long-term strategic initiatives and obscure its potential for sustainable value creation [5].

We’ll provide digital asset infrastructure and enterprise tools to @BdaGovernment, local banks, insurers, businesses, and consumers.We’ll also help accelerate nationwide digital finance education, adoption, and technical onboarding.More ↓https://t.co/ffvNr6ySIf ...

Newrez, a leading mortgage lender and servicer, announced plans to begin recognizing cryptocurrency assets for mortgage qualification in February 2026. This marks a significant integration of digital finance into the traditional housing market. Newrez Targets Gen Z with Crypto-Inclusive Mortgage Products The initiative will allow borrowers to use holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD-pegged stablecoins, and spot crypto exchange-traded funds to verify assets. Those holdings may also be used to estimate incom ...

Pakistan recently signed a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies, a company linked to World Liberty Financial. The deal focuses on the use of USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments. According to a recent report by Reuters, the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority stated that the agreement opens formal technical coordination on digital payment systems. It covers stablecoin settlement, payment rails, and regulatory alignment within Pakistan’s financial system. This is the fi ...

Core Insights - Hyperscale Data, Inc. aims to grow its Bitcoin treasury to $100 million, currently holding approximately $49 million in Bitcoin as of January 11, 2026 [1][2] - The company ranks as the 67th largest public Bitcoin treasury globally and 36th in North America [1] - The total Bitcoin holdings include approximately 540 Bitcoin, with 529.5929 Bitcoin held by its subsidiary Sentinum and 10 Bitcoin held by Ault Capital Group [2] Company Strategy - The company plans to deploy cash allocated to its Digital Asset Trading (DAT) strategy into Bitcoin purchases over time, targeting at least 5% of allocated cash for investment each week [3] - The actual investment amount may vary based on market conditions, and the company encourages investors to evaluate Bitcoin accumulation based on multi-week averages [3] Reporting and Transparency - Hyperscale Data intends to provide weekly updates on total Bitcoin owned and Bitcoin purchased, ensuring consistent and transparent reporting for stockholders [4] - The company does not plan to provide regular updates on cash balances but will continue to report on Bitcoin holdings and purchases [4] Subsidiary Operations - Hyperscale Data operates through its subsidiary Sentinum, which mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services [6] - Ault Capital Group, another subsidiary, is focused on acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies [6] Future Plans - The company expects to divest Ault Capital Group in the third quarter of 2026, transitioning to focus solely on data center operations and digital asset holdings [7] - The divestiture will involve a voluntary exchange of Series F Preferred Stock for shares of ACG, allowing stockholders to become shareholders of ACG [8]

Core Viewpoint - Coinbase's stock performance closely mirrors the cryptocurrency market cycle, experiencing significant fluctuations in response to Bitcoin's price movements and regulatory developments [1][4]. Company Overview - Founded in 2012, Coinbase has a market capitalization of $64.9 billion and is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally, catering to both retail and institutional investors [2]. - The company is diversifying its offerings beyond trading, including stablecoin payments, crypto cards, and subscriptions, aiming to become a comprehensive digital finance platform [2][14]. Recent Stock Performance - Coinbase's stock peaked at $444.64 in July but has since declined nearly 45%, with a 37% drop over the past six months and close to 9% in the last month [1][4]. - Analysts from Bank of America upgraded COIN to "Buy" with a target price of $340, viewing the recent pullback as a buying opportunity [3][15]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Coinbase reported total revenue of $1.87 billion, a 55% increase year-over-year and a 25% increase from the previous quarter, exceeding market expectations [8]. - Transaction revenue rose to $1 billion, up 37% sequentially, while subscription and services revenue increased by 14% to $747 million, indicating a successful diversification strategy [8][9]. Profitability Metrics - Adjusted net income surged 151% year-over-year to $421 million, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 78% to $801 million, and adjusted EPS reached $1.44, more than doubling from the previous year [9]. - The balance sheet showed strong liquidity of $11.9 billion, supported by a $3 billion convertible debt issuance, providing the company with flexibility for investments and acquisitions [10]. Market Trends and Future Outlook - Analysts expect subscription and services revenue to range between $710 million and $790 million, driven by growth in USDC and an expanding subscriber base [12]. - Analysts project adjusted EPS for Q4 to be around $0.83, down 75% year-over-year, but anticipate a rebound in fiscal 2026 with a 25% annual growth [13]. Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street maintains a "Moderate Buy" consensus on COIN, with a mean price target of $362.98, suggesting a potential rebound of 48% [16]. - Bank of America sees long-term value in Coinbase's initiatives and maintains a price target of $340, indicating a 39% upside potential [15].

Core Insights - The technology underlying digital assets is expected to evolve into a foundational infrastructure layer for the financial services industry by 2026, significantly impacting capital allocation and market operations of traditional financial firms [1] Group 1: Trends in Digital Assets - Stablecoins and tokenized assets gained traction in payments and liquidity management in 2025, with expectations for further integration of formerly disparate sectors such as transition finance, private credit, and emerging markets [2] - Digital finance platforms are now hosting tokenized US Treasurys and structured credit products, with anticipated efficiency gains from the adoption of new technologies [3] - The increasing use of tokenized issuance and programmable settlement is expected to enhance liquidity turnover and reduce operational costs for financial institutions [3] Group 2: Interconnectivity and Adoption - Evolving technologies like stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchains are set to interconnect previously separate areas of finance, facilitating a more unified digital ecosystem [4] - Institutions are preparing to adopt stablecoins for cross-border payments and liquidity management, bridging the gap between digital and traditional finance [5] - Asset tokenization is becoming more prevalent, making it easier and cost-effective to issue and trade assets, thus opening new market opportunities [5] Group 3: Future Market Dynamics - As innovations mature, markets will increasingly compete based on the strength and maturity of their infrastructure layers, which need to be secure, efficient, and highly interoperable [6]

Core Insights - Coinbase's stock (COIN) experienced a significant decline of nearly -50% in H2 2025 but showed signs of recovery with an +8% increase following a Goldman Sachs upgrade from "neutral" to "buy" and a target price increase from $294 to $303, indicating an approximate +18% upside potential [1][3] Group 1: Market Sentiment and Analyst Upgrades - The upgrade from Goldman Sachs signals a bullish sentiment towards Coinbase, suggesting that the company is viewed as a long-term winner rather than a speculative investment [3] - Traditional banks are beginning to view crypto exchanges as integral to future financial infrastructure, which may enhance the legitimacy and stability of the crypto market [2][4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape and Strategic Shifts - Increased competition is anticipated in the crypto trading space as traditional retail brokerage and crypto trading converge, potentially affecting market share and pricing strategies for Coinbase [4] - Coinbase is evolving into an "everything exchange," expanding its offerings beyond just cryptocurrency trading to include stocks, prediction markets, and tokenized assets, aligning with its 2026 strategic plan [6]

Core Viewpoint - Japan's Finance Minister has declared 2026 as "Digital Year One," emphasizing a significant push towards integrating digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, into the mainstream financial system alongside traditional investments [1][7]. Group 1: Digital Transformation Initiative - The initiative aims to accelerate digital transformation within Japan's financial system, marking a shift towards modernizing the approach to digital assets [2][5]. - Japan's government, under the new administration, is prioritizing digital assets for 2026, indicating a renewed commitment to evolving its financial landscape [2][5]. Group 2: Regulatory Reforms - The Financial Services Agency (FSA) plans to reclassify digital assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) by 2026, which is expected to enhance transparency and foster institutional participation [5]. - These regulatory changes are designed to promote broader economic growth through digital finance, positioning Japan as a potential digital finance hub [5][6]. Group 3: Integration with Traditional Finance - Finance Minister Katayama supports the integration of digital assets with traditional financial institutions, allowing banks and asset managers to treat cryptocurrencies similarly to stocks and bonds [8]. - The reforms are anticipated to attract foreign capital, increase market liquidity, and encourage a shift from conservative savings to more productive investments [6][7]. Group 4: Portfolio Diversification - Katayama highlighted the potential of digital assets in portfolio diversification, referencing the popularity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States as a model [4]. - The government aims to provide full support for exchanges to ensure secure access to digital assets for the public [4].