Google Play is set to enforce stricter compliance rules in South Korea, significantly reshaping how users access global cryptocurrency platforms. Starting January 28, Android users in the country will face limits on downloading or updating apps from unregistered overseas crypto exchanges, marking a major step in South Korea’s tightening digital asset oversight. New VASP Registration Requirement Under the updated policy, all cryptocurrency exchanges and wallet providers must be registered as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) with the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to remain listed on the Google Play Store. Platforms that fail to meet this requirement will be removed…
Author: Blockto Team
Interactive Brokers is expanding its digital asset capabilities by allowing 24/7 account funding using Circle’s USDC stablecoin, a move that enables round-the-clock trading and faster access to markets. The brokerage plans to introduce additional stablecoin options including Ripple’s RLUSD and PayPal’s PYUSD, as early as next week. USDC Integration and Benefits Traders can now fund their accounts with USDC through a Zerohash-powered infrastructure, which automatically converts stablecoins into U.S. dollars and credits the brokerage account in minutes. This system supports Ethereum, Solana, and Base ntworks, offering instant settlement outside traditional business hours and lower transaction costs compared to wire transfers.…
CME Group is preparing to expand its cryptocurrency derivatives lineup by introducing futures contracts linked to Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM). The move reflects rising institutional demand for regulated tools that help manage volatility across major altcoins while maintaining transparency and compliance. Pending regulatory approval, the new futures contracts are scheduled to launch on February 9. They will be offered in both standard and micro contract sizes, allowing participation from a wide range of market participants, from smaller traders to large institutions. The Cardano futures will include contracts representing 100,000 tokens for standard contracts and 10,000 tokens for…
XRP weakened in the latest session as traders sold into strength near a well-defined resistance zone, even as broader fundamentals remain supportive. The move highlights the growing divide between short-term technical positioning and medium-term institutional demand. Over the 24-hour period, XRP declined 3.6%, sliding from $2.149 to $2.070. Sellers consistently defended the $2.13 resistance level, triggering repeated rejections on rising volume. During the U.S. session, trading activity surged to over 102 million tokens, roughly 130% above the daily average, confirming active distribution rather than passive drift. A late session flush briefly pushed price to $2.059, where buyers stepped in, stabilizing…
Iran’s cryptocurrency ecosystem expanded sharply to approximately $7.8 billion in total activity as widespread protests and economic instability pushed citizens toward digital assets as a financial safeguard. The surge followed a rapid deterioration of the Iranian rial, which hit historic lows against major global currencies, triggering public demonstrations across the country. Bitcoin Withdrawals Signal Shift Toward Self-Custody Blockchain data indicates a notable increase in Bitcoin withdrawals from local exchanges to personal wallets, suggesting individuals are moving assets into self-custodied storage to protect purchasing power. This trend accelerated during periods of heightened unrest, reflecting growing concern over currency devaluation and restricted…
Dogecoin weakened sharply in the latest session as sellers took control, pushing the price below a critical support level. The move reflects broader caution toward meme-based tokens, with traders prioritizing assets showing clearer institutional demand. Dogecoin declined around 3.5%, falling from $0.1439 to $0.1394. The decisive moment came when the $0.1420 support zone failed, triggering accelerated selling. Trading volume surged to approximately 1.01 billion tokens, more than 100% above the daily average, confirming that the drop was driven by active selling rather than thin liquidity. Price action shows a clear bearish structure, with lower highs capped near $0.1450 before the…
Crypto market optimism has cooled after reaching a multi-month peak, as uncertainty surrounding a proposed US crypto market structure bill unsettles investors. While prices remain relatively resilient, sentiment indicators suggest growing caution across the digital asset space. Crypto Fear & Greed Index Drops to Neutral The widely followed Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell by 12 points to 49, shifting sentiment from “greed” back to neutral. Just a day earlier, the index stood at 61, its highest level since early October, reflecting strong bullish momentum. The recent pullback highlights how quickly confidence can change when regulatory risks resurface. The earlier…
Ethereum is showing renewed strength as on-chain data points to a sharp rise in user participation and transaction activity. Recent metrics suggest the network is not only attracting new users but also retaining them at a much higher rate, signaling improving fundamentals across the ecosystem. New Ethereum Addresses Surge According to analysis, Ethereum’s activity retention nearly doubled within a single month, climbing from just over 4 million to around 8 million active addresses. This increase reflects a large influx of first-time users, rather than growth driven solely by existing participants. Activity retention is closely watched because it highlights whether new…
State Street has expanded its push into digital assets by unveiling a new institutional crypto tokenization platform, signaling how major financial institutions are accelerating efforts to integrate blockchain technology into traditional markets. Tokenized Funds and Digital Money Products The platform is designed to help clients create and manage tokenized money market funds, exchange-traded funds, tokenized deposits, and stablecoins. According to the company, the goal is to bridge traditional financial assets with blockchain-based infrastructure, allowing institutions to issue and service products directly on distributed networks. said Joerg Ambrosius, State Street’s president of investment services.; In addition to tokenization tools, the platform…
Global brokerage firm Interactive Brokers has taken another step toward integrating digital assets into traditional finance by allowing clients to fund their accounts using stablecoins, reflecting the growing role of blockchain-based payments in capital markets. USDC Deposits Now Supported Across Major Blockchains Interactive Brokers confirmed that clients can now deposit USDC stablecoins via the Ethereum, Solana, and Base blockchains. Once received, these digital assets are automatically converted into U.S. dollars and credited directly to brokerage accounts, enabling clients to begin trading without manual conversion steps. Interactive Brokers said on Thursday that; The company stated that support for additional dollar-backed tokens, including Ripple…