Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called on governments worldwide to prioritize central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) over privately issued stablecoins, arguing that CBDCs can deliver the same financial benefits as stablecoins — including speed, efficiency, and programmability — without destabalising the whole financial structure of the country.

According to official news, starting from 20:00 on January 2, 2026, if the absolute value of the funding rate for USDⓈ-M perpetual contracts with hourly funding rates is less than or equal to 0.025% for 16 consecutive periods, then starting from the 17th period, the funding rate settlement frequency for this contract will revert from every hour to every four hours. Binance Futures will complete the adjustment within approximately 15 minutes after the conditions are met. The funding rate payment times for the four-hourly settlement will be 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 0:00, and 4:00 daily. API users can query relevant information through the GET /fapi/v1/fundingInfo interface.

Prediction markets are skeptical of early Trump tariff checks, with Kalshi odds showing under 15% chance of payouts arriving before May. source: https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49662180/trump-tariff-checks-betting-markets-skeptical-of-early-rollout-with-odds-under-15-until-may?utm_source=cryptopanic.com&utm_campaign=partner_feed&utm_medium=referral

According to the announcement from Binance, the platform will implement changes to the funding rate settlement frequency for USDⓈ-M perpetual contracts starting from 2026-01-02 12:00 (UTC). This adjustment will occur if the funding rate remains at or below the absolute value of 0.025% for 16 consecutive cycles. In such cases, the settlement frequency will shift from every one hour to every four hours on the 17th cycle. For instance, the ZKPUSDT USDⓈ-M Perpetual Contract's funding rate settlement frequency will be modified from every one hour to every four hours by 2026-01-02 12:15 (UTC), provided the funding rate stays below or equal to the absolute value of 0.025% from 2026-01-01 21:00 (UTC) to 2026-01-02 14:00 (UTC). Consequently, the next funding payment with a four-hour settlement frequency will take place at 2026-01-02 16:00 (UTC). The funding rate settlement frequency will not change if the rate exceeds the absolute value of 0.025% during any cycle within the specified timeframe. The adjustment process is expected to be completed within approximately 15 minutes once the conditions are met. For example, if the update is due at 08:00 (UTC), users will observe the change by 08:15 (UTC). A separate announcement will be issued if Binance Futures decides to alter the parameters of these conditions. Funding payments with a four-hour settlement frequency will occur at 00:00 (UTC), 04:00 (UTC), 08:00 (UTC), 12:00 (UTC), 16:00 (UTC), and 20:00 (UTC). Users can access real-time funding rate information and historical data through Binance's designated pages. API users can query funding rate details via the newly added endpoint: GET /fapi/v1/fundingInfo.

According to ChainCatcher, Arkham data indicates that at 15:13, a total of 37,650,400 KMNO tokens were transferred from Fireblocks Custody to an anonymous address starting with 4AK83Vf82d. The value of the transferred tokens is approximately $2.15 million.

Stablecoins on Ethereum are being used more actively than at almost any point in the network’s history, pointing to a deeper shift in how liquidity is behaving on-chain. source: https://cryptodnes.bg/en/ethereum-stablecoin-usage-signals-a-structural-shift-in-onchain-liquidity/

In a report, Jens Naervig Pedersen, a foreign exchange and interest rate strategist at Danske Bank, stated that global market liquidity is expected to remain thin this week but may pick up next week. The strategist noted, "Looking ahead, market liquidity should improve next week as more economic data is released." Key data next week includes important US labor market data, such as the December non-farm payroll report released on January 9th and the ISM survey. Market liquidity is typically low during the year-end period as many market participants take holidays or close positions. (Jinshi)

SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic are shaping up as the most anticipated IPO candidates for 2026 as investor interest centers on AI and space-driven growth. source: https://catenaa.com/industries/financials/spacex-openai-anthropic-emerge-as-top-ipo-prospects-for-2026/

Prediction market traders on Polymarket are pricing in a cautious outlook for Bitcoin, assigning low odds to a $150K move this year even amid bullish forecasts. <p>The post Bitcoin Traders Are Betting Small in 2026 — Even as Analysts Eye $150K and Beyond first appeared on Ecoinimist. </p> source: https://ecoinimist.com/2026/01/02/bitcoin-traders-betting-low/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bitcoin-traders-betting-low

As of January 2, 2026, energy markets are sending mixed signals. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is trading near $57 per barrel, while U. S. natural gas futures hover around $3 source: https://www.ethnews.com/here-is-why-energy-markets-might-face-a-split-path-in-2026/

Turkmenistan has made cryptocurrency mining and trading legal under a new law, with strict licensing and central bank oversight. Digital currencies still cannot be used as payment, and operations will face tight controls on internet access and financial activity.

Bitcoin may have entered a new bear market as early as November, according to CryptoQuant, who pointed to a breakdown below the one-year MA. <p>The post Bitcoin’s Bear Market May Already Be 2 Months In, Says CryptoQuant Research Head first appeared on Ecoinimist. </p> source: https://ecoinimist.com/2026/01/02/bitcoin-bear-market-2-months-in/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bitcoin-bear-market-2-months-in

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks over their promotion of crypto firm Voyager Digital, ruling that the court in Florida had no jurisdiction. The case was linked to investor losses after Voyager went bankrupt in 2022, but the court did not rule on whether Cuban or the Mavericks were liable.

South Korean authorities have broken up a Cambodia-based criminal syndicate that defrauded victims of more than $1.93 Billion Korean Won using the narrative of being associates of billionaire Elon Musk and offering interested investors a share of SpaceX.

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Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

From 1 January, UK crypto investors must share their account and transaction details with HMRC, or face penalties. Exchanges will report users’ data under the new CARF rules, allowing HMRC to track gains and enforce taxes more effectively.

After a year marked by legislative paralysis and a historic government shutdown, US lawmakers are preparing to open 2026 with renewed momentum on digital asset regulation.