Ether has suffered a sharp decline in early 2026, falling 21% so far this quarter, yet Fundstrat’s head of research Tom Lee argues the sell-off is not driven by weakening fundamentals. Instead, he points to structural market factors that have temporarily weighed on prices despite growing network activity. Ethereum Fundamentals Remain Strong According to Lee, Ethereum’s on-chain data continues to show expansion rather than contraction. Daily transactions reached a record 2.8 million in mid-January, while active addresses climbed to roughly 1 million per day during 2026. This trend contrasts sharply with previous downturns in 2018 and 2022, when declining prices…
Author: Blockto Team
Senior officials from the White House have held discussions with representatives from the cryptocurrency and traditional banking sectors as lawmakers continue to debate how stablecoins should be treated under proposed US digital asset legislation. The meeting reflects renewed efforts to move forward on market structure reforms stalled in the Senate. Stablecoin Yield at Center of Discussions The meeting focused on unresolved provisions in the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, particularly how stablecoin yield and rewards should be regulated. The Senate Banking Committee delayed its planned markup of the bill in January, citing the need for further work on several…
A key indicator of US economic activity has reached its strongest level in more than three years, prompting analysts to assess potential implications for Bitcoin and broader risk assets. The latest data suggest a shift in macroeconomic conditions that has historically aligned with periods of strength in the crypto market. US Manufacturing PMI Signals Expansion The Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index recorded a reading of 52.6 in January, its highest level since August 2022. The figure exceeded market expectations and marked the end of a prolonged contraction phase that lasted more than two years. A PMI reading…
Former users of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX have reached a proposed settlement with the law firm Fenwick & West, ending a lawsuit that accused the firm of playing a significant role in the events that led to FTX’s downfall. The agreement marks a notable development in the broader wave of litigation following one of the largest failures in crypto history. Background of the FTX Lawsuit The lawsuit was originally filed in 2023 as part of a multidistrict class action brought by FTX customers after the exchange imploded in late 2022. Plaintiffs alleged that Fenwick & West provided substantial assistance…
US President Donald Trump has publicly denied any knowledge of a reported $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal-linked company into World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a crypto platform associated with members of his family. The reported deal, said to have occurred shortly before his inauguration, has intensified debate around foreign investment, political influence, and cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. Details of the Reported WLFI Investment According to reports based on internal company documents and sources familiar with the matter, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates acquired a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial…
Bitcoin has closed four consecutive months in negative territory for the first time since 2018, extending its recent downturn as global markets undergo a broad reassessment of liquidity and monetary policy expectations. The move has unfolded alongside synchronized sell-offs in equities and precious metals, signaling a wider risk reset rather than crypto-specific weakness. Bitcoin Price Decline Reflects Macro Repricing Bitcoin slipped below the $78,000 level, with prices briefly dipping near $74,500 during the latest sell-off. The decline has been accompanied by heavy institutional withdrawals, with global crypto investment products posting roughly $1.7 billion in weekly outflows, following significant redemptions from…
Singapore Gulf Bank has announced plans to introduce a regulated fiat–stablecoin interoperability service aimed at institutional clients, signaling growing momentum for compliant digital asset infrastructure. The service is expected to go live by the first quarter of 2026. Institutional Stablecoin Access Across Major Blockchains The new platform will allow institutions to mint, convert, hold, and trade leading dollar-backed stablecoins such as USDC and USDT within a single regulated environment. Transactions will be supported across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, providing flexibility for firms operating across different ecosystems. Singapore Gulf Bank stated that the service is designed to…
US President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair has introduced uncertainty across financial markets, including Bitcoin and other risk assets. While Warsh is viewed as supportive of lower interest rates, analysts warn his stance on monetary liquidity could weigh on broader market conditions. Kevin Warsh Fed Nomination and Bitcoin Outloo Warsh’s appointment could allow the Federal Reserve to continue moving toward interest rate cuts. Lower rates generally ease borrowing conditions and can support demand for assets such as Bitcoin, equities, and high-growth investments. However, analysts caution that interest rate policy…
India’s 2026-27 Union Budget has kept the existing 30% tax on crypto gains and the 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) unchanged, maintaining the current taxation framework for digital assets. However, the government has introduced new penalties aimed at improving reporting compliance for crypto transactions. New Reporting Penalties for Crypto Assets Under the Finance Bill, 2026, entities required to report crypto transactions under Section 509 of the Income-tax Act will face daily fines and flat charges for errors. Non-filing would incur ₹200 per day (approximately $2.20), while incorrect or uncorrected statements would attract a flat ₹50,000 ($545) penalty. These measures,…
Hong Kong is set to take a major step in digital asset regulation as it prepares to grant its first stablecoin issuer licenses in March, according to recent reports. The move marks the transition from regulatory framework to real-world implementation, reinforcing the city’s ambition to become a regulated crypto finance hub. HKMA Nears Completion of License Reviews The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has confirmed that its review of stablecoin license applications is close to completion. Initial approvals will be highly selective, with only a very small number of issuers expected to receive licenses in the first batch. The regulator has…