Headline
▌Trump-backed WorldLiberty Applies for US Trust Bank License
WorldLiberty Financial's WLTC Holdings LLC, a crypto project backed by Trump, has applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, WorldLiberty Trust Company, for the issuance and operation of the stablecoin USD1. WLTC plans to provide three core services under federal regulation: stablecoin issuance and redemption, fiat currency exchange channels, and custody and exchange, primarily targeting institutional clients, including exchanges, market makers, and investment companies. Since its issuance in March 2025, USD1 has seen a circulation of over $3.3 billion in its first year and has been used by institutions for cross-border payments, settlements, and fund management.
This application will enable USD1 to achieve full localization of its operations in the United States. Nasdaq-listed Rumble and stablecoin market giant Tether announced the joint launch of the non-custodial crypto wallet Rumble Wallet, which can be directly integrated into the Rumble platform. The wallet will support Tether (USDT), TetherGold (XAUt), and Bitcoin (BTC), allowing users to tip creators directly in cryptocurrency. It also reportedly supports embedding cryptocurrency payments into video sharing platforms, thereby eliminating the need for intermediaries such as advertising networks, banks, or payment processors, allowing creators to receive payments directly from viewers. As of press time, according to CoinGecko data: BTC price is $91,151.70, a 24-hour change of -2.6%; ETH price is $3,162.04, a 24-hour change of -3.9%; BNB price is $898.78, a 24-hour change of -2.0%. SOL price is $136.55, a 24-hour change of -3.2%; DOGE price is $0.1464, a 24-hour change of -2.6%; XRP price is $2.17, a 24-hour change of -5.8%; TRX price is $0.2979, a 24-hour change of +1.3%. The price of WLFI is $0.1683, a 24-hour change of -3.2%; the price of HYPE is $26.88, a 24-hour change of -4.3%.
Policy
▌US Senate Banking Committee Sets January 15 Date for Consideration of Crypto Market Structure Act
According to market news, the legislative landscape of the US cryptocurrency industry has reached a critical turning point. The Senate Banking Committee has officially set the consideration date for the Digital Asset Market Transparency Act (CLARITY Act, also known as the Crypto Market Structure Act) for January 15, 2026 (Thursday). Committee Chairman Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, announced this decision after a series of tense closed-door meetings in early January. Senator Scott emphasized that the committee will move forward with the formal vote regardless of any difficulties. The Republican leadership sees this deadline as strategically necessary, and they are racing against time to complete the legislation before the January 30 deadline for key federal government spending, which could trigger a new government shutdown.
Blockchain Applications
▌AppWorks' Fund IV Raises $165 Million to Support Early-Stage AI and Web3 Startups
Venture capital firm AppWorks announced that its fourth fund, Fund IV, has raised $165 million, bringing the total amount raised to date to $386 million. The new funds will focus on investing in startups and projects in the Asian market in the fields of artificial intelligence, Web3, and the broader digital economy. AppWorks has already invested in several Web3 startups, including DeFi smart broker platform Almanak, DAO infrastructure provider Tally, crypto trading software developer SignalPlus, blockchain privacy solution Blokid, and Web3 payment platform Fetch.
Blockchain Applications
▌AppWorks' Fund IV Raises $165 Million to Support Early-Stage AI and Web3 Startups
Fireblocks has announced an agreement to acquire cryptocurrency accounting platform TRES Finance for $130 million. The acquisition, conducted in a cash-and-equity deal, marks Fireblocks' second acquisition in three months. Its core business is helping businesses hold and transfer digital assets. Last October, Fireblocks acquired crypto wallet startup Dynamic for approximately $90 million. Fireblocks was valued at $8 billion in its 2022 funding round.
▌Babylon Announces $15 Million Funding Round, with a16z & Crypto Participating
Babylon announced the completion of a $15 million funding round, with a16z & Crypto participating. Specific valuation figures have not yet been disclosed. Babylon's competitors are reportedly centralized service providers such as Coinbase, Kraken, and Tether. It is expected to integrate its technology with the lending protocol Aave in the second quarter of this year. The company currently has over 40 employees.
▌Prince Group Founder and Chairman Chen Zhi Arrested in Cambodia, Deported to China for Investigation
Chen Zhi, founder and chairman of Prince Group, has been arrested in Cambodia and deported to China for investigation by relevant authorities.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency
▌Santiment: Crypto Market Focuses on Three Hot Topics: Meme Coin, RWA, and ETFs
According to Santiment's social data, crypto investors' attention is rising in three directions: Meme Coin prices have surged, and many well-known cryptocurrencies have rebounded due to retail investor enthusiasm, showing that community-driven speculation can still influence the market; Real-World Asset Tokens (RWAs) are gaining popularity, with increased institutional fund inflows, as investors include traditional assets such as on-chain bonds and real estate in their portfolios to diversify risk; Regarding ETFs, several large institutions have submitted applications for crypto asset ETFs, and spot ETFs are attracting a large inflow of funds, driving up prices, showing that structured investment tools can influence market trends.
BlackRock Deposits 567 Bitcoins, Worth $52.2 Million, into Coinbase According to OnchainLens, BlackRock has just deposited 567 Bitcoins, worth $52.2 million, into Coinbase. Strategy's Perpetual Preferred Stock (STRC) Returns to $100 for the First Time Since November According to market news, Strategy's perpetual preferred stock (STRC) has returned to $100 in pre-market trading for the first time since early November. This creates conditions for the company to raise funds to purchase more Bitcoin through market-based stock issuances of related products. The stock is a short-term, high-yield credit with a current annual dividend yield of 11%, paid monthly in cash, and the dividend yield is reset monthly to stabilize the share price. Since its launch, STRC has risen 16%, with an effective return of approximately 11%, and its dividend yield has increased to 11% since the beginning of the year, marking the fifth increase. Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani is optimistic about the cryptocurrency market in 2026 and recommends buying cryptocurrency company stocks on dips. His analysis points out: 1. 2026 Outlook: The tokenization supercycle will dominate. Bitcoin will bottom out and rebound, with a target price of $150,000 (2026) and a peak of $200,000 (2027). 2. Stablecoins: Supply will increase by 56% to $420 billion, with payment and fintech companies such as Block, Revolut, and PayPal strongly supporting stablecoins. 3. RWA Tokenization: TVL will increase from $37 billion to $80 billion, and banks will participate in this area. 4. Market Prediction: Trading volume will grow by 100% to $70 billion (revenue could reach $1.4 billion). Platforms like Kalshi, Robinhood, and Coinbase will receive regulatory support. SpaceX's valuation is approaching $1.6 trillion, and it still holds 8,285 BTC. SpaceX's dominance in rocket launches and satellite broadband internet services was further solidified last December, with reports suggesting an insider stock deal valued the company at $800 billion. There's even speculation that Musk's aerospace company might sell shares to the public this year, targeting a valuation almost double that figure. SpaceX has a huge first-mover advantage with its Starlink project, which provides broadband internet through more than 9,000 small satellites deployed in low Earth orbit. This service is faster and cheaper than services provided by satellites in geostationary orbit. According to Arkham data, the company still holds 8,285 BTC since purchasing Bitcoin four years ago.
▌Tom Lee's "Bearish" Analyst: Risk Clearing Events May Cause Increased Volatility in the First Half of the Year
Fundstrat's Head of Digital Asset Strategy, Sean Farrell, stated in an interview that Bitcoin is still projected to reach $1 million in the long term, with strong structural tailwinds for quality crypto assets. However, 2026 will be a "trader's market," with potential risk clearing events in the first half of the year leading to increased volatility, potentially causing Bitcoin to fall back to $60,000 (a deep value zone, a "buy with both hands" opportunity). The second half of the year will present excellent opportunities due to improved liquidity, policy stimulus, and AI-driven growth. Regarding Ethereum, Sean Farrell believes ETH is viewed as a "small-cap tech stock" by traditional asset managers. Benefiting from the tokenization narrative of Real-World Assets (RWA) (145% year-on-year growth in Q3 2025, bringing higher-quality assets into DeFi and enhancing value capture), its year-end target price is approximately $4,500.
▌Coinbase Adds RAY, ENERGY, ELSA, and FUN to Listing Roadmap
According to official news, Coinbase has added Raydium (RAY), EnergyDollar (ENERGY), Elsa (ELSA), and Sport.fun (FUN) to its listing roadmap.
▌Multiple Binance Life Holders Deposit Over $2.5 Million Worth of Tokens into Binance
According to OnchainSchool monitoring, multiple Binance Life holders have deposited tokens into the exchange, currently depositing over $2.5 million worth of Binance Life tokens into Binance.
Solana Mobile plans to airdrop 2 billion SKR tokens to Seeker mobile users. Solana Mobile announced on Wednesday that it will airdrop new SKR tokens to Seeker smartphone users and developers in its mobile ecosystem on January 20th. However, a Solana Mobile representative confirmed to Decrypt that early Solana Saga mobile users will not be eligible for this airdrop. Although Solana Mobile stated in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that the airdrop would take place on January 21st UTC, a screenshot in the comments thread of that post shows the airdrop collection time as 9 PM EST on January 20th. This airdrop will distribute 20% (2 billion) of unlocked SKR tokens to holders of the second-generation Solana Mobile Seeker phone and developers of applications for this crypto-native mobile device. In total, the total supply of SKR tokens is 10 billion, with 30% reserved for various airdrop incentives.
Important Economic Developments
▌The People's Bank of China (PBOC) increases gold reserves for the 14th consecutive month
The People's Bank of China reported that China's gold reserves at the end of December were 74.15 million ounces (approximately 2306.323 tons), an increase of 30,000 ounces (approximately 0.93 tons) month-on-month, marking the 14th consecutive month of gold reserves increases.
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) reported that China's gold reserves at the end of December were 74.15 million ounces (approximately 2306.323 tons), an increase of 30,000 ounces (approximately 0.93 tons) month-on-month, marking the 14th consecutive month of gold reserves increases.
▌US December ADP employment increased by 41,000, lower than expected
US December ADP employment increased by 41,000, compared to a forecast of 50,000 and a previous decrease of 32,000.
▌88.4% probability of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged in January
According to CME's "FedWatch": the probability of the Fed cutting interest rates by 25 basis points in January is 11.6%, and the probability of keeping interest rates unchanged is 88.4%. By March, the probability of a cumulative 25 basis point rate cut is 40.3%, the probability of keeping interest rates unchanged is 55.4%, and the probability of a cumulative 50 basis point rate cut is 4.3%.
▌US December ADP employment increased by 41,000, lower than the forecast of 50,000 and a previous decrease of 32,000.
▌88.4% probability of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged in January
Golden Encyclopedia
▌Will Stablecoins Possess an Existential Threat to Bitcoin?
Stablecoins have grown from almost nothing a decade ago to a market capitalization in the tens of billions today, with monthly trading volumes exceeding $1 trillion. But do stablecoins have inherent limitations? Are their practical uses limited to certain specific areas? Three main reasons for the current popularity of stablecoins stand out. First, price stability; compared to other cryptocurrencies whose expected value will continue to rise, price stability is undoubtedly an advantage. Second, portability; many users find it more efficient to convert fiat currency into stablecoins in bulk, and then easily transfer value between various cryptocurrencies as needed. Third, taxation; the price stability of stablecoins can help them avoid taxable events in daily payments. Stablecoins are highly centralized in both their value source and actual operation, which is why regulators have been busy issuing various rules recently.
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