Wallet, 0x1b7D, withdrew a combined 194.4 XAUT ($993,000) and 106.2 PAXG ($538,000) from MEXC on the same day.Meanwhile, blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain reported multiple high-value transactions during the final week of January, pointing to sustained whale interest in gold-backed tokens.Now, the precious metal is just shy of Morgan Stanley’s $5,700 forecast, and the $6,000 and $6,600 predicted by the Bank of America and Jefferies, respectively.As of this writing, gold was trading at $5,585, after Gold ...

Core Insights - The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has approved USDU, the first USD-backed stablecoin in the country, under the Payment Token Services Regulation [1][2] - USDU is now part of the regulated payment system in the UAE, ensuring it operates within the banking framework [2] - Universal Digital has become the first Foreign Payment Token Issuer registered by the UAE central bank, managing and issuing USDU [3][4] Regulatory Structure and Issuance Model - USDU is issued and managed by Universal Digital, operating under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market [3] - The stablecoin is backed one-to-one by US dollars, with reserves held in safeguarded on-shore accounts at Emirates NBD and Mashreq [4] - The regulatory framework provides legal clarity on issuance, custody, and reserve handling for USDU [4] Institutional Interest and Market Maturation - There is growing institutional interest in regulated digital-value instruments, with USDU's introduction seen as a timely step for market maturation [5] Parallel Developments in Crypto Use - Dubai Insurance has launched a crypto insurance wallet, allowing policyholders to pay premiums and receive claims in digital assets, including stablecoins [6] - The wallet operates on infrastructure from Zodia Custody, focusing on institutional security and regulatory alignment [7]

Core Insights - Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS) has partnered with Ribbon Plc to launch a digital asset investment offering for the UK market, integrating Bitpanda's infrastructure for crypto trading, custody, and execution [1][3][4] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership aims to meet the growing demand for regulated digital asset capabilities among fintech platforms as institutions explore crypto-related products [2] - Ribbon will utilize Bitpanda's technology stack to support a new digital asset investment service tailored for UK customers, enhancing its product suite [3][4] - The planned offering will include functionalities such as buy and sell, staking, swaps, savings plans, open-loop crypto transfers, and omnibus custody, supported by Bitpanda's infrastructure and liquidity [5] Group 2: Market Context and Company Goals - The partnership reflects evolving institutional expectations around digital assets, with financial firms seeking infrastructure partners that can support long-term strategies with scale and resilience [6] - Ribbon Plc focuses on serving global economic migrants with a digital financial super-app that offers multi-currency IBAN accounts, cross-border remittances, and other financial tools [6][7] - The CEO of Ribbon emphasizes the goal of creating a trusted platform that combines regulatory foundations with scalable technology to facilitate cross-border financial activities [7]

Core Viewpoint - Russia's State Duma is set to establish a two-tier cryptocurrency access system by July 1, 2026, which will limit non-qualified investors to an annual investment cap of 300,000 rubles ($4,000) while allowing qualified investors unlimited purchasing power [1]. Regulatory Framework - The framework, based on the Bank of Russia's December concept, categorizes digital currencies and stablecoins as tradable currency assets but prohibits their use for domestic payments [2]. Investor Classification and Restrictions - Non-qualified investors will face strict limitations, including mandatory testing and restrictions to approved liquid cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries, with penalties for illegal activities starting July 1, 2027 [3]. - Qualified investors will not have volume restrictions but must demonstrate risk understanding through testing and cannot acquire anonymous tokens [3]. Approved Cryptocurrency Lists - The Central Bank is expected to create approved cryptocurrency lists featuring the top 5-10 most traded assets, likely including BTC and ETH, with potential additions like SOL or TON [4][5]. - Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies will be explicitly excluded from the regulated market, as they cannot pass anti-money laundering checks [5][6]. Cross-Border Transactions - Russian residents will be allowed to purchase cryptocurrencies on foreign platforms using overseas accounts and transfer previously acquired assets abroad, provided they notify the tax service [6][7]. Infrastructure and Compliance - Crypto transactions will utilize existing licensed infrastructure, with exchanges, brokers, and trustees operating under current licenses, while specialized depositories and exchangers will face new regulatory requirements [8].

BREAKING: 🇯🇵 Japan’s Metaplanet to raise $137,000,000 to buy more #BitcoinNothing stops this train 🚀 https://t.co/H8ujzKJOTH ...

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) , said on Wednesday that the company has signed up for the TrumpAccounts initiative, pledging to match the $1,000 contribution for eligible children of employees.Coinbase Supports Trump-Branded ProgramIn an X post, Armstrong lauded the federal government initiative, emphasizing the importance of early investments in financial security and literacy for kids.“We’re proud to join POTUS’s initiative by matching the $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury for all ...

Core Viewpoint - Cryptocurrency is transitioning from a speculative asset to becoming the financial transaction layer of the internet by 2026, as stated by Wintermute Ventures [1] Group 1: Infrastructure and Market Dynamics - The infrastructure enabling the free movement of value is currently being built and deployed at scale, moving away from theoretical concepts [2] - Cross-border financial transactions face significant government enforcement and corporate scrutiny, contrasting with the free movement of information [2] Group 2: Predictions for 2026 - Everything will become tradable, with markets expanding into outcomes, events, and information, providing liquidity for previously unmarketed areas [4] - Prediction markets are expected to grow by turning unpriceable outcomes into tradable instruments, with insurance being a sector ripe for disruption [4][5] Group 3: Stablecoins and Settlement - Stablecoins are becoming the default settlement asset in the internet economy, but fragmentation is a bottleneck, highlighting the need for a platform to aggregate stablecoin settlements [6] - A model resembling "onchain correspondent banking" is proposed, where conversion and credit risk shift to issuers, allowing for rapid settlement [7] Group 4: Market Sentiment and Valuation - Investor speculation in cryptocurrencies is predicted to decline by 2026, with valuations shifting towards sustainable earnings rather than short-term hype [8] - Tokens lacking a credible path to value capture are expected to struggle in maintaining demand beyond speculative phases [10]

Core Viewpoint - 21shares has launched the 21shares Jito Staked SOL ETP (JSOL), providing liquid access to JitoSOL, a leading liquid staking asset in the Solana ecosystem, allowing investors to gain exposure to Solana's price while earning dual-source staking yields [1][3][4]. Company Overview - 21shares is one of the largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) globally, with over 55 ETPs listed across Europe and approximately $8 billion in assets under management [6][8]. - The company aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance, having launched the world's first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018 [8]. Product Details - The JSOL ETP allows investors to access JitoSOL through existing banking or brokerage accounts, combining Solana market exposure with liquid staking rewards in a transparent format [2][4]. - JitoSOL is recognized as the dominant liquid staking token on Solana, offering a two-way yield structure that includes standard staking rewards and additional revenue from transaction fees [3][4]. Market Position - Solana has emerged as a preferred blockchain for institutional payments and tokenization, with major firms like Visa, PayPal, and JPMorgan utilizing its network for various financial activities [5]. - The network's high throughput and low transaction costs position it as a viable competitor to Ethereum, supporting real-world economic activities at scale [5]. Strategic Importance - The launch of the JSOL ETP is seen as a significant innovation in the cryptocurrency investment space, enabling European investors to participate in Solana's growth in a regulated manner [4][5]. - The collaboration between 21shares and the Jito Foundation aims to enhance the adoption of Jito's technologies and support the growth of Solana's DeFi ecosystem [10].

South Korea's largest crypto exchange Upbit will list SENT/KRW, SENT/BTC, and SENT/USDT trading pairs. Sentient is an open-source AI network project aimed at decentralizing the AI ecosystem. Additionally, South Korea's second-largest exchange Bithumb will list SENT/KRW and ELSA/KRW trading pairs. https://t.co/VKe7rQwKOb ...

Tether, the company behind the largest stablecoin by market cap, is amassing a huge pile of gold bullion in a former Swiss nuclear bunker. The “James Bond kind of place,” as its CEO, Paolo Ardoino, described the storage facility to Bloomberg, houses a gold collection of more than 140 tons. With gold’s ongoing rally, that’s about $24 billion worth. The crypto company bought at least 70 tons of gold last year, Bloomberg calculated, or more than was reported by any central bank besides Poland’s. Now, Ardoin ...