Amid a significant shift in the US government's attitude towards digital assets, PwC, one of the Big Four accounting firms, is increasing its investment in cryptocurrencies and related businesses. Paul Griggs, PwC's US head, stated that this strategic shift began last year, primarily benefiting from the appointment of pro-crypto regulatory officials and the advancement of several digital asset-related legislations in the US Congress. Griggs pointed out that the regulatory framework surrounding stablecoins and the Genius Act are helping to boost market confidence in these assets, and asset tokenization will continue to develop, requiring PwC to be deeply involved in this emerging ecosystem. The report states that these statements reflect that changes in the policy environment are prompting traditional blue-chip institutions to reassess and gradually enter the digital asset market, which they had previously maintained a cautious stance towards. (Financial Times)

XRP has started 2026 on a strong footing, rallying more than 18% in the first five days of the year as improving technical structures and steady institutional inflows lifted price action above key levels.XRP climbed to above $2.16, mirroring broader strength across the crypto market. The total market capitalization of digital assets, led by Bitcoin and Ether, rose about 7.3% year-to-date, reflecting improving risk sentiment at the start of the year.Amid strengthening fundamentals and technical momentum, several chart-based signals suggest XRP could be positioned for further upside in the months ahead.1. XRP Breaks Out of Falling Wedge PatternXRP’s daily chart shows a falling wedge breakout, a bullish reversal pattern that typically forms during corrective phases within broader uptrends.The structure developed over several months as price carved out lower highs and lower lows inside a narrowing channel, signaling weakening downside momentum. In early January, XRP broke above the wedge’s upper trendline near the $2.05–$2.10 zone, accompanied by improving relative strength.Price is now attempting to reclaim key moving averages, including the 20-day and 50-day exponential moving averages (EMAs). The 200-day EMA near $2.35 remains the next major technical hurdle.If the breakout holds, the pattern projects a move toward the $2.60–$2.70 resistance area by February — roughly 25% above current levels.2. Wyckoff Reaccumulation Model Signals Higher TargetsXRP’s recent advance also fits within a broader Wyckoff reaccumulation structure, according to chart analysis shared by market participants.Reaccumulation patterns typically appear mid-trend, allowing large players to absorb supply before the next impulsive move higher.XRP began stabilizing in late 2024 after forming a base near $1.20, marking the early phases of the structure. Throughout most of 2025, price consolidated below resistance around $1.90–$2.00, suggesting cooling momentum rather than a full trend reversal.In late 2025, XRP briefly dipped below $1.70, forming a classic Wyckoff “spring,” before quickly reclaiming lost ground — a signal of seller exhaustion.As of early 2026, XRP is testing the descending “creek” resistance near $2.10–$2.15. A sustained breakout above this zone would confirm a Jump Across the Creek (JATC) and transition into Phase D of the pattern.If validated, the structure points toward an initial upside target in the $2.80–$3.20 range. Some longer-term projections derived from the full pattern extend as high as $7, representing potential upside of more than 200% from current prices.3. ETF Inflows and Supply Tightening Support $7–$8 ScenariosBeyond technicals, XRP’s onchain and institutional signals continue to strengthen.U.S.-based spot XRP ETFs extended their inflow streak through December, logging 29 consecutive trading days of net inflows despite volatile market conditions. On Friday alone, XRP ETFs recorded $13.59 million in net inflows, pushing cumulative inflows to approximately $1.37 billion, according to SoSoValue.Total net assets across XRP ETFs stood near $1.24 billion, even as broader crypto markets faced end-of-year selling pressure. While daily inflows have cooled from early-December peaks, the funds still attracted roughly $478 million over the month, underscoring resilient institutional demand.At the same time, onchain data shows that XRP balances on exchanges have fallen to their lowest level since 2018, signaling reduced sell-side liquidity and tighter available supply.This combination — steady institutional demand alongside declining exchange balances — has historically created conditions conducive to stronger upside once broader selling pressure eases.Reflecting these dynamics, Standard Chartered has projected that XRP could reach $8 by 2026, citing rising institutional participation and longer-term capital allocation trends.Technical Strength Meets Structural DemandXRP’s early-2026 rally is supported by a convergence of bullish chart patterns, sustained ETF inflows, and tightening supply dynamics. While confirmation above key resistance levels remains critical, the current setup suggests XRP is transitioning from recovery into a potential continuation phase.Whether price can extend toward higher targets will depend on follow-through, broader market conditions, and the durability of institutional demand — but the technical and structural signals are aligning more constructively than at any point in recent years, according to Cointelegraph.

According to ChainCatcher, data from Arkham indicates that at 04:11, a total of 20,096,300 SYRUP tokens were transferred from Syrup.fi to an anonymous address beginning with 0x7700.

Jupiter formally launched JupUSD, its reserve-backed stablecoin facilitated by Ethena Labs, and it is pegged to the US dollar. According to the post, JupUSD is launching on battle-tested stablecoin rails, and initially only 90% of reserves will be held in USDtb, a licensed, GENIUS-compliant stablecoin, collateralized by BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund, with a 10% USDC liquidity […] source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/jupiters-jupusd-formally-launches/

Ledger customer contact information held by a payment processing partner was exposed in a newly disclosed breach. Ledger's hardware wallets and software were not compromised, the company said. source: https://www.bankless.com/read/news/ledger-customers-hit-by-third-party-data-exposure

Developer activity across AI and Big Data crypto projects is accelerating, signaling a renewed focus on infrastructure rather than short-term narratives. source: https://btcusa.com/ai-and-big-data-projects-lead-developer-activity-as-infrastructure-race-intensifies/

Bitcoin climbed to its highest levels in nearly a month on Monday, pushing above $94,000 as global risk assets and precious metals moved higher following geopolitical developments tied to the U.S. operation in Venezuela.The advance came despite mounting concerns over thin market liquidity, with onchain data showing crypto trading volumes at their lowest levels since late 2023 — a divergence that has split near-term outlooks among traders.Bitcoin seeks fresh monthly highs on Venezuela catalystData from TradingView showed BTC reaching a year-to-date high of $94,026 on Bitstamp, marking its strongest price since mid-December.The move coincided with gains across traditional markets. U.S. equities opened higher, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite up around 1% at the time of writing. Gold also rallied sharply, rising more than 2.5% to trade near $4,455 per ounce, reinforcing the broader risk-on tone.“Asset owners keep on winning,” macro trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in a post on X, reacting to the synchronized move across asset classes.Bitcoin built on its recent recovery by reclaiming several technically significant levels, including the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) near $91,600, as well as the 2025 yearly open around $93,500.Traders eye breakout, but spot demand remains keyMarket participants said Bitcoin’s ability to hold above $94,000 will be critical in determining whether the move can extend into a broader breakout.“Good to see $BTC finally showing a bit of strength,” trader Max Rager wrote on X. “Retesting the 2025 yearly open and a major level for Bitcoin price over the past year. Would like to see a break and hold above $94k and then could see a push back over $100k.”Other analysts echoed the view that upside continuation will hinge on spot market participation.Commentator Exitpump said further gains would “depend on spot buyers,” while crypto trader and analyst Michaël van de Poppe described the current zone as the final barrier before a potential move into six-figure territory.“Final hurdle before $100K: that’s where Bitcoin is currently at,” van de Poppe wrote. “I wouldn’t expect a clear-cut, immediate breakout; however, I do expect to see it happen in the coming week. The year started bullish.”Crypto volume crash raises caution flagsDespite the bullish price action, concerns are growing over a lack of market engagement.Veteran Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo warned that thin order-book liquidity and subdued trading activity could make recent gains fragile.“I think we get a short-term pump for January,” Woo wrote on X, citing early signs of a local liquidity bottom. However, he cautioned that the rally may lack durability without stronger participation.Onchain analytics firm Glassnode reinforced those concerns, reporting that crypto spot trading volumes have fallen to their lowest levels since late 2023.“This weakening demand contrasts sharply with upside moves across the market,” Glassnode said, warning that recent price strength is occurring against a backdrop of increasingly thin liquidity.Market split between momentum and structureThe divergence between rising prices and falling volume has left the market divided. Bulls argue that improving sentiment, seasonal tailwinds, and macro catalysts could support further upside. Bears counter that without a pickup in spot demand and liquidity, the rally risks becoming vulnerable to sharp pullbacks.For now, Bitcoin’s ability to hold above the $93,500–$94,000 zone remains the key technical test as traders assess whether early-2026 strength can evolve into a sustained trend — or fade amid structurally weak participation, according to Cointelegraph.

This marks the first major Web3 events of the year to fall victim to the ongoing crypto winter. source: https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/major-web3-events-shelved-marking-first-cancellations-of-2026

Grayscale Investments has declared the first-ever staking rewards distribution for a U.S.-listed spot crypto exchange-traded product, marking a milestone in the evolution of Ethereum ETFs and onchain yield integration.Shareholders of the Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) will receive approximately $0.08 per share from the sale of staking rewards, with the cash payout scheduled for Tuesday. The distribution is based on fund holdings recorded at the market close on Monday. The payout stems from Ethereum staking rewards earned after Grayscale enabled staking for its Ethereum products in October.First U.S. spot crypto ETP to distribute staking incomeGrayscale activated staking for its Ethereum funds on Oct. 6, using institutional custodians and third-party validator providers. The move made ETHE and the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH) the first U.S.-listed spot crypto ETPs to gain exposure to Ether staking rewards.Staking involves locking tokens on a proof-of-stake blockchain to validate transactions and secure the network in exchange for rewards. In Grayscale’s structure, staking rewards are converted to U.S. dollars and distributed as cash, rather than being paid out directly in Ether.Regulatory structure allows staking but differs from traditional ETFsGrayscale’s Ethereum funds operate outside the Investment Company Act of 1940, the primary statute governing most U.S. ETFs. This structural distinction allows the funds to engage in staking activities, though it also means they do not offer the same regulatory protections as conventional ETF products.Grayscale was founded in 2013 and sponsors a range of digital asset investment products. The firm manages approximately $31 billion in assets under management, according to company disclosures.ETHE shares were up around 2% in early trading, according to Yahoo Finance.U.S. Spot Ether ETFs and the Push Toward StakingWhile Grayscale is currently the only U.S.-traded fund issuing staking-linked payouts, several major asset managers are seeking regulatory approval to add staking features to their spot Ether ETFs.In March, Cboe BZX Exchange filed a proposed rule change with U.S. regulators to allow staking within the Fidelity Ethereum Fund, following a similar filing submitted in February for the 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF.In November, BlackRock registered a staked Ethereum ETF in Delaware — an early procedural step toward launching a staking-enabled product. The filing would complement its existing iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), which launched in July 2024 and currently does not include staking.Ether ETF market overviewU.S. spot Ether ETFs began trading in July 2024, making 2025 the first full calendar year in which the products were available to investors. Over the year, Ether ETFs attracted approximately $9.6 billion in net inflows, according to Cointelegraph.According to CoinMarketCap, U.S. spot Ether ETFs collectively manage about $18 billion in assets.BlackRock’s ETHA is the largest, with roughly $11.1 billion in assetsGrayscale’s ETHE holds about $4.1 billionGrayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF manages around $1.5 billion

The firm now stakes 659K ETH, gearing up for their Made in America Network launch in Q1 2026 to crank staking yields. source: https://dailycoin.com/bitmines-eth-buying-spree-collides-with-fragile-3k-market/?utm_source=cryptopanic&utm_medium=rss

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.

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.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a war with Colombia after the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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

A DoorDash driver in Austin, US, was banned after using an AI-generated photo to falsely mark a delivery as completed. Similar AI-driven scams are emerging in the UK, where fake images are used to claim refunds from food delivery apps.