Chicago-based derivatives exchange CME Group is examining how tokenized assets could reshape collateral and margin across financial markets, CEO Terry Duffy said during a recent earnings call. The conversations revolve around tokenized cash and a CME-issued token that could run on a decentralized network, potentially used by other market participants as margin. Duffy argued that the quality of collateral matters, suggesting that instruments issued by a systemically important financial institution would provide more confidence than tokens from smaller banks attempting to issue margin tokens. The comments signal a broader industry push to experiment with tokenized collateral as traditional markets increasingly explore blockchain-based settlement and liquidity tools. Key takeaways CME Group is evaluating tokenized cash alongside a possible CME-issued token designed to operate on a decentralized network for margin purposes. Registry-style collateral could be favored if issued by system...

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) traded below $73,000 on Wednesday after briefly retesting the $79,500 level the day prior, as a softer tech backdrop ripples into crypto markets. The move mirrors a broader risk-off tilt that has been evident in the Nasdaq, where a weak sales outlook from chipmaker AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) and softer US payroll data turned investors away from high-beta assets. The price action underscores how crypto is not insulated from macro shifts, even as it trades in a market that remains highly sensitive to liquidity and leverage dynamics. Key takeaways Heavy outflows from Bitcoin spot ETFs persist, with more than $2.9 billion leaving US-listed funds across roughly 12 trading days, signaling renewed pain for leveraged long positions. BTC options markets show elevated hedging activity, as professional traders buy downside protection, pushing the 30-day delta skew higher and signaling skepticism about a swift bottom near $72,100. Leverage-driven risk outside spot markets remain...

Key points: Bitcoin remains under pressure as the bears attempt to hold the price below the crucial $74,508 level. Several major altcoins are struggling to bounce off their support levels, increasing the likelihood of the resumption of the downtrend. Bitcoin ( BTC ) ( CRYPTO: BTC ) is facing renewed selling pressure after bulls pressed for a recovery but failed to sustain gains, with the price slipping beneath the key mark of $72,169. In a Monday note, Galaxy Digital research lead Alex Thorn warned that BTC could slip toward its realized price near $56,000 in the coming weeks, citing a lack of catalysts capable of reversing the trend. The absence of strong on-chain or macro catalysts has kept buyers on the defensive, and the market has yet to demonstrate a convincing bid at higher levels. Not everyone is certain the bottom is in. On X, Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan argued that the crypto markets are likely to rebound sooner rather than later, signaling that the longer-te...

Bitcoin’s struggle to sustain a move above $70,000 intensified midweek, fueling speculation about a potential retreat toward the $60,000 area. The price pressure arrived alongside a wave of futures liquidations and a notable contraction in open interest, while exchange inflows nudged higher, underscoring a broader mix of leverage unwinding and tactical positioning. The net effect has traders weighing whether the catalysts are crypto-specific or part of broader macro dynamics shaping risk assets. As BTC hovered in the mid-$70,000s, the market faced a confluence of on-chain signals and liquidity shifts that could influence the near-term path. Key takeaways Around 744,000 BTC exited major exchanges in 30 days, equating to roughly $55 billion at current prices. BTC futures cumulative volume delta (CVD) declined by about $40 billion over the past six months, signaling intensified deleveraging. Exchange reserves rose by 34,000 BTC since mid-January, increasing near-term supply risk as ...

The congressional hearing featured a pointed exchange between Treasury leadership and lawmakers over Bitcoin’s place in U.S. policy. United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before Congress on Wednesday and reiterated that the US will retain Bitcoin Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) acquired through asset seizures but will not direct private banks to purchase more BTC in the event of a market downturn. In a tense interaction with California Representative Brad Sherman, a vocal critic of crypto, Bessent faced questions about whether federal authorities possess the tools to bail out the asset class or influence private-sector risk-taking. The exchange underscored a broader debate about how much reach the government should claim over crypto markets, especially as the Trump administration has framed a formal reserve strategy around digital assets. Sherman pressed on the Treasury’s authority to compel banking institutions to hold more BTC, invoking the possibility of altering reserve r...

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) slipped to fresh lows not seen since late 2024 after a wavering relief bounce failed to sustain momentum, with the asset testing new pressure near the $72,000 area as US traders returned to the desk. Data feeds from TradingView highlighted weakness in the US session, with dips briefly pushing BTC beneath $73,000 and lighting up the $72,000 mark on major venues such as Bitstamp. The move underscored a broader risk-off tone in macro markets, where gold struggled to reclaim lofty levels and equities drifted lower at the open. Traders and analysts alike flagged a potential safety net around the 200-week exponential moving average (EMA) near $68,000, a level that has historically been watched as a long-term anchor during drawdowns. Key takeaways Bitcoin breached the previous Tuesday low, slipping to a sub-$73,000 print as Wall Street opened and sellers resurfaced. The broader macro backdrop cooled, with precious metals giving back gains and equity indices under pre...

Dubai’s January 2026 regulatory shift targets anonymity-focused tokens within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), signaling a recalibration of how regulated markets balance innovation with scrutiny. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) moved to bar licensed venues from trading, marketing, or packaging privacy-oriented assets such as privacy coins, within the DIFC’s regulated ecosystem. Ownership in personal wallets remains possible, but access through institution-friendly platforms will be restricted. The move centers on Monero and Zcash, two prominent privacy-focused projects, underscoring a broader push toward transparency that mirrors evolving global standards in AML and sanctions enforcement. While the emirate continues to position itself as a hub for compliant digital finance, the policy crystallizes the friction between private transaction confidentiality and the interests of regulated financial intermediaries. In the broader crypto landscape, liquidity and ...

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has long been valued for its ability to store and move value without intermediaries. Yet the native layer’s scalability limits and limited programmability initially constrained use cases such as high-frequency payments and complex, on-chain smart contracts. In 2018, developers introduced a layer-2 solution called the Lightning Network, designed to move much of the transactional load off-chain by establishing payment channels between counterparties. This off-chain model accelerates settlement, reduces fees, and makes everyday transactions more practical on the Bitcoin network. The Lightning Network’s design helps ensure that the blockchain remains secure while confirming a large portion of activity outside the main chain, setting the stage for broader merchant adoption and consumer use on Bitcoin. Beyond speeding up payments, Bitcoin’s ecosystem has gradually expanded its programmable capabilities through secondary protocols. One notable project is RGB, an open-sou...

A data-driven study of crypto fundraising for 2025 sketches a market in transition: capital is flowing toward later-stage, revenue-generating ventures, while bold early-stage bets give way to disciplined, performance-focused financing. The report shows venture-capital activity in crypto and Web3 remained robust through the year, with quarterly investments in crypto startups exceeding $8 billion—the first sustained pattern since 2022. Total funding for 2025 surpassed $34 billion, roughly double the $17 billion tallied in 2024. A notable shift toward sustainable business models and concrete product-market fit helped steer deal dynamics, with seed rounds contracting as venture funds leaned into maturer rounds. The real-world asset (RWA) space emerged as a standout, attracting more than $2.5 billion in VC commitments as tokenization of traditional assets gained momentum. Key takeaways Crypto venture capital investments topped $8 billion in every quarter of 2025, a first since 2022. Tot...

Bitcoin is testing the outer bounds of a long-standing support framework as traders scout the potential for a macro price bottom. The spotlight is on the 200-week moving average, which sits near the $68,400 mark, a level many analysts view as a decisive test point for the cycle. After a streak of four consecutive red monthly candles, the market faces fresh downside targets, including the possibility of sub-$50,000 prices if selling pressure returns. Yet, proponents argue that key trend lines and longer-term averages could still route BTC toward a sustainable floor, offering a potential setup for patient investors who favor accumulation on weakness. In this environment, the confluence of on-chain signals, macro risk sentiment, and derivative positioning is driving cautious optimism amid a volatile backdrop. Key takeaways Bitcoin is approaching a retest of its 200-week exponential moving average around $68,400 for the first time since late 2023. Trading data points to a broader safet...