Today's Cryptocurrency News (January 13) | U.S. Senate updates Market Structure Act; Crypto funds outflow of $454 million in one week
This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of January 5, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- ZKsync 2026 Roadmap Revealed: Real-World Infrastructure and Institutional Applications as Core Focus
ZKsync is shifting its development focus from simple on-chain scaling to infrastructure building that better aligns with real-world needs. As an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution provider, ZKsync explicitly states in 2026 that “real-world application scenarios” are the central theme of its full-year roadmap, with particular emphasis on institutional users and compliance environments.
According to information disclosed by Alex Gluchowski, co-founder and CEO of Matter Labs on X platform, ZKsync’s 2026 strategy will revolve around four “uncompromising” product standards: default privacy protection, deterministic control, verifiable risk management, and native connectivity with global markets. This design emphasizes cryptography rather than human intermediaries to build trusted financial infrastructure, aligning from the ground up with traditional financial institutions’ compliance and governance needs.
On the implementation front, Prividium is seen as a key pillar in promoting institutional adoption of ZKsync. This privacy-focused blockchain platform will mature further in 2026, targeting banks, asset managers, and large enterprises, supporting the integration of privacy features directly into access management, transaction approval, auditing, compliance reporting, and existing financial systems. Overall, Prividium aims not to change institutional workflows but to seamlessly integrate into existing processes.
Meanwhile, ZK Stack will continue evolving into a one-stop application chain building tool, lowering technical barriers for enterprise deployment of dedicated blockchains and enabling efficient cross-chain liquidity and shared services. The Atlas upgrade launched in 2025 has already laid the foundation for enterprise migration in terms of transaction speed and flexibility.
In terms of underlying technology, ZKsync also plans to promote its settlement proof engine Airbender to become a universal standard for zero-knowledge virtual machines, addressing performance, privacy, and governance challenges simultaneously.
Looking at a longer-term horizon, ZKsync expects to complete the transition from basic deployment to scaled applications in 2026, with multiple regulated financial institutions and large enterprises running production-level systems on its network, expanding its user base from early adopters to tens of millions. This direction could mark a significant step for zero-knowledge technology in real-world adoption.
Recent signals from US President Trump regarding tariffs cast a shadow over the fragile US-China trade relations. In early 2026, Trump announced a 25% import tariff on all countries engaged in trade with Iran, with immediate effect. This statement quickly sparked market concerns about potential disruption of the US-China trade agreement.
Overall, this move directly impacts China, a key variable. China is Iran’s largest trading partner and one of the world’s biggest crude oil importers. Previously, in October last year, the US and China reached a temporary trade truce, with the US suspending some punitive tariffs and China easing restrictions on rare earth exports, cooling bilateral tensions. However, the new tariff threat is seen as weakening this hard-won balance.
China has explicitly opposed the move. The Chinese Embassy in the US stated firm opposition to any form of illegal unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction,” reserving the right to retaliate. Several trade policy experts warn that if the 25% tariffs are implemented, it would significantly upgrade the existing tariff system and could trigger chain reactions.
From an energy trade perspective, China has long imported crude oil from Iran, supporting Iran’s economy. Data shows Iran’s crude exports to China have increased significantly over recent years; despite a decline in 2025 due to US sanctions, energy cooperation has not stopped. Academics generally believe Beijing will not proactively adjust its strategic cooperation with Iran due to tariff threats.
In summary, Trump’s tariff strategy appears more as a high-pressure tactic rather than a systematic trade negotiation plan. Analysts suggest that before high-level talks, both sides may re-enter a “talk and pressure” phase, involving tariffs, technology, energy, and other areas with uncertainties.
In the context of a highly sensitive global economy, such tariff actions could impact bilateral trade, commodity markets, and macro risk expectations. Whether tariffs will be enforced and if US-China trade truce can be maintained remains to be seen.
Ethereum’s price has recently been under continuous pressure, with technical signals indicating a bearish trend amid whale sell-offs and capital outflows. Overall, ETH has been trading within a symmetrical triangle for several months, but the price has failed to rebound effectively, raising concerns about further declines.
Data shows ETH has fallen about 2.5% over the past week, retreating over 5% from its monthly high, currently hovering around $3,100, nearly 40% below its all-time high. From a capital structure perspective, selling pressure mainly comes from high-net-worth addresses. Santiment data indicates that since mid-December last year, addresses holding between 10,000 and 1 million ETH have been steadily decreasing, suggesting whales are systematically reducing their holdings. Such behavior often amplifies market sentiment volatility and exerts psychological pressure on small and medium investors.
Institutional movements also appear weak. In recent trading days, US spot Ethereum ETFs have experienced significant capital outflows totaling over hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting a short-term decline in institutional risk appetite. Under this environment, retail investors tend to stay on the sidelines, and market liquidity has contracted accordingly.
On-chain fundamentals also show a slowdown. Data from DeFiLlama indicates that total value locked (TVL) in Ethereum-based DeFi protocols has declined significantly from its peak last year, implying a temporary reduction in capital efficiency and protocol attractiveness. Derivatives markets have cooled, with open interest in futures contracts shrinking sharply from peak levels, indicating a clear trend of deleveraging. ETF capital outflows have stabilized, suggesting the most intense selling pressure may have passed.
Technically, ETH remains at the end of a symmetrical triangle on the daily chart, with $3,000 as a key psychological level. A confirmed break below this level could see prices testing the critical support around $2,600. Overall, considering whale behavior, ETF fund flows, and technical patterns, ETH faces short-term downside risk, and a major trend shift may be imminent.
Jack Mallers, CEO of payment company Strike, recently stated publicly that the next Bitcoin bull market could surpass all previous cycles, potentially becoming the strongest rally in Bitcoin history. This view has quickly sparked discussions in the crypto market and again brought institutional funds and macro narratives into focus.
Overall, Mallers is no stranger to making aggressive Bitcoin forecasts. In previous cycles, he emphasized Bitcoin’s long-term value multiple times and suggested that a single Bitcoin could reach a million dollars. Unlike short-term price predictions, his outlook is more based on payment system reforms, global currency restructuring, and institutional entry rhythms.
In this statement, Mallers highlighted that the continued development of Bitcoin ETFs, discussions on national Bitcoin reserves, and large financial institutions’ allocation needs could jointly drive the next rally. He believes Bitcoin is gradually shifting from a fringe asset to a “macro hedge tool” within the global financial system.
From the market environment, as of early 2026, Bitcoin’s price remains in a consolidation phase after experiencing sharp volatility in 2025. Market sentiment is gradually returning to rationality, but institutional participation is significantly higher than in previous cycles. This structural change is a key basis for Mallers’ belief that the bull market could expand further.
Community feedback is mixed. Some long-term holders believe ongoing institutional inflows will enhance Bitcoin’s market depth and resilience; others remain cautious, noting that macro policies and liquidity shifts could still cause temporary pullbacks based on historical experience.
It’s important to note that Mallers’ views are more about confidence in long-term trends rather than short-term price certainty. For Bitcoin investors, the key takeaway is to focus on institutional allocations, policy environments, and global payment system changes, rather than just price movements.
Looking at a longer cycle, the narrative of Bitcoin as a decentralized asset and store of value continues to evolve. Mallers’ latest comments reinforce the market’s discussion of Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
Early 2026, U.S. crypto regulation signals a clear shift. The Senate recently released an updated draft of the Digital Asset Market Structure Act, a document seen as a key turning point in the U.S. digital asset regulatory framework. While much attention is on DeFi regulation and token classification, a particular clause regarding stablecoin rewards is quietly changing the competitive landscape between crypto and traditional banking.
The draft, released by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, is called the “Negotiated Market Structure Act.” It will be submitted for committee review this Thursday, aiming to address one of the most contentious issues between the crypto industry and banks: stablecoin yield incentives. Over recent weeks, both sides have engaged in intensive negotiations over the earning attributes of stablecoins.
According to the latest text, digital asset service providers are prohibited from paying interest or passive yields to users who merely hold payment stablecoins. However, rewards directly related to trading, staking, liquidity provision, collateralization, or other on-chain activities are not banned. This means the “interest-like” yield model for stablecoin holdings will be explicitly excluded from compliance.
This adjustment stems from a compromise proposed by Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks. She advocates allowing platforms to offer incentives based on specific actions but argues that stablecoin balances themselves should not be equated with bank deposits. This approach has been incorporated into the banking committee’s version of the bill.
Overall, the issue of stablecoin rewards has become a focal point of competition within the U.S. financial system. Banking groups argue that the 2025 passed “GENIUS Act” prohibits issuers from directly paying interest but does not block third-party platforms from offering similar returns, potentially creating new liquidity risks. Crypto firms counter that this is an attempt by banks to use regulation as a pretext to stifle innovation.
Some industry voices have expressed concerns. The largest compliant centralized exchange (CEX) in the U.S. recently warned that if legislation further tightens reward arrangements beyond disclosure requirements, it may reconsider its support for the Market Structure Act.
In addition to the stablecoin clause, the new draft incorporates bipartisan proposals by Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden, clarifying that software developers and infrastructure providers will not be considered financial intermediaries solely for writing or maintaining code. This is seen as a systemic protection for DeFi and open-source ecosystems.
In legislative terms, this revised version is viewed as an important step toward substantive review. The Senate Banking and Agriculture Committees’ versions still need coordination and integration with the House-passed Digital Asset Market Transparency Act. The final text must be approved by both chambers and signed by President Trump to become law.
U.S. attitudes toward stablecoin yield models are shifting from ambiguity to refined regulation, which could profoundly impact stablecoin business models, user behavior, and the competitive landscape between traditional finance and crypto.
On-chain analytics platform Lookonchain (@lookonchain) reports that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin (vitalik.eth) sold some free airdropped tokens within the past 30 minutes, earning approximately 9.4 ETH (about $29,400).
The expansion of regulated digital asset investment products continues in 2026. The Bitcoin Gold Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) called BOLD, launched by 21Shares on January 13 on a major UK stock exchange, becomes the first local investment tool to include both Bitcoin and gold in the same trading system. The product aims to capture Bitcoin’s potential gains while reducing overall volatility, attracting more risk-averse investors.
Structurally, 21Shares’ Bitcoin Gold ETP combines the two most liquid alternative assets—Bitcoin and gold—using a risk-weighted approach into a single portfolio. Bitcoin offers long-term growth resilience; gold provides value storage and risk buffering. This combination helps smooth net asset value (NAV) fluctuations across macro cycles and reduces the price shocks associated with holding Bitcoin alone.
The timing of this product’s launch is notable. After the UK lifted restrictions on crypto-related exchange-traded products in October 2025, demand for regulated digital asset investments surged. According to IFA magazine, in the first month after the ban was lifted, related exchange-traded notes (ETNs) traded approximately $280 million, indicating rapid growth in institutional and professional investor participation.
Historically, BOLD is not new. It was first introduced in Europe in April 2022 and has expanded to major financial centers. By the end of 2025, its cumulative return in GBP was about 122.5%, outperforming a simple combination of holding Bitcoin or gold alone, demonstrating effective risk management.
In terms of asset security, the Bitcoin and gold backing BOLD are held by institutional-grade custodians, with monthly rebalancing. The goal is not to hold equal amounts but to maintain a relatively stable risk exposure. This mechanism employs “buy low, sell high” rebalancing to smooth returns and improve long-term performance. The product supports intraday trading, with a total expense ratio of 0.65%, offering a new option for investors interested in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Gold ETP, and low-volatility crypto strategies in 2026.
January 2026, U.S. crypto regulation takes a key step. The Senate released a 278-page full text of the Virtual Asset Market Structure Act, viewed as a major turning point in the U.S. digital asset regulatory system. While much attention is on DeFi regulation and token classification, a specific clause on stablecoin passive income is quietly reshaping the competitive landscape between crypto and traditional banks.
According to the latest draft, U.S. Senate crypto legislation explicitly restricts “passive stablecoin yields.” It states that companies cannot pay interest or passive returns solely because users hold stablecoins; rewards must be linked to actual usage activities such as staking, providing liquidity, trading, collateralizing, or participating in governance. This explicitly excludes the “interest-like” yield model for stablecoin holdings from compliance.
This adjustment originates from a compromise proposed by Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks. She advocates allowing platforms to offer incentives based on specific actions but argues that stablecoin balances themselves should not be equated with bank deposits. This approach has been incorporated into the Senate Banking Committee’s version of the bill.
Overall, the stablecoin reward issue has become a focal point of competition within the U.S. financial system. Banking groups argue that the 2025 passed “GENIUS Act” prohibits issuers from directly paying interest but does not prevent third-party platforms from offering similar returns, which could create new liquidity risks. Crypto firms counter that this is an attempt by banks to use regulation to suppress innovation.
Some industry voices have expressed concern. The largest compliant U.S. CEX recently warned that if legislation further tightens reward arrangements beyond disclosure, it may reconsider its support for the Market Structure Bill.
In addition to the stablecoin clause, the draft incorporates bipartisan proposals by Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden, clarifying that software developers and infrastructure providers will not be considered financial intermediaries solely for writing or maintaining code. This is seen as a systemic safeguard for DeFi and open-source ecosystems.
Legislatively, this revised version is an important step toward substantive review. The Senate Banking and Agriculture Committees’ versions still need coordination and integration with the House-passed Digital Asset Market Transparency Act. The final text must be approved by both chambers and signed by President Trump to become law.
U.S. attitudes toward stablecoin yield models are shifting from ambiguity to refined regulation, which could deeply impact stablecoin business models, user behavior, and the competitive landscape between traditional finance and crypto.
Early 2026, rumors about the U.S. potentially seizing Venezuela’s Bitcoin assets have been circulating in the crypto community. Some online posts claim Venezuela holds about $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, speculating that the Trump administration may push for asset confiscation. Overall, these claims are more market speculation; no reliable evidence supports them.
The topic initially arose from cautious comments by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. When asked whether Venezuela owns large amounts of Bitcoin, he only said the situation “remains to be seen,” emphasizing that the SEC does not have asset confiscation authority, and any seizure would require other government agencies’ decisions. Due to vague wording, some market participants overinterpreted his remarks, spreading rumors rapidly on crypto social platforms.
From on-chain data, the claim that Venezuela holds massive Bitcoin reserves is clearly exaggerated. The traceable amount of Bitcoin associated with Venezuela is only a few hundred coins, valued at tens of millions of dollars, far from the claimed $60 billion. Analysts note that claims about Venezuela secretly accumulating large Bitcoin holdings through oil or gold trades lack credible data support.
Moreover, even if a country does hold Bitcoin, forcibly seizing assets is operationally very difficult. Bitcoin assets are entirely controlled by private keys; without the keys, funds cannot be transferred. This is a core reason why Bitcoin is considered an “censorship-resistant asset.” Overall, the current rumors about Venezuela’s Bitcoin seizure are more a rehash of the long-standing debate over whether states can control Bitcoin, rather than an immediate risk.
At this stage, the market should focus more on facts and on-chain data rather than emotional narratives. Discussions about Venezuela’s Bitcoin confiscation remain speculative.
Entering 2026, the overall crypto market activity has rebounded, but LIT faces significant pressure. On January 12, a whale experienced a major loss of over $1.8 million on a 1x long position in LIT, quickly drawing market attention and further dampening already weak sentiment.
On-chain data shows that this whale previously held about $4.27 million worth of LIT long positions, but as prices declined, the position turned deeply unprofitable. This reflects both high volatility in LIT’s price and a lack of confidence in the token. Overall, traders are more cautious, with short-term funds shrinking.
Meanwhile, project fundamentals are also under pressure. Data shows that Lighter Chain’s daily revenue on January 12 was only about $8,450, a very low level in the competitive blockchain and application space. Weak revenue performance prompts market reassessment of LIT’s utility and long-term growth potential, leading some investors to temporarily exit.
However, from derivatives markets, LIT still shows some activity. Recent open interest in futures has increased, and trading volume has slightly expanded, indicating some funds are positioning for a potential rebound in 2026. This structure suggests ongoing bullish-bearish battles rather than complete abandonment.
Technically, liquidity heatmaps show concentrated liquidity above $2.70. Overall, this area could become a key short-term level; a breakout with volume could trigger further upward testing. Before that, LIT remains fragile, and minor adverse movements could trigger new selling pressure.
LIT is currently in a phase of confidence repair and fundamental testing. Whale losses and low revenue are real pressures, but rising open interest and key price levels leave room for a potential rebound. Future movement will depend on market sentiment and actual growth data.
Market strategies for Bitcoin and Ethereum are changing. Despite geopolitical tensions, ETF capital flows, and a strengthening dollar, options market signals suggest investors are betting on declining short-term volatility, implying a move toward a relatively stable market.
Data shows Bitcoin’s 30-day implied volatility has fallen to about 40%, near recent lows; Ethereum’s indicator has also dropped below 60%, well below previous peaks. Overall, this indicates traders expect less dramatic upward or downward moves in the near term, favoring range-bound trading.
Lower volatility means reduced hedging demand. Compared to late 2025 when frequent protective options were bought, current strategies favor selling calls and puts to profit from volatility contraction. This shift reflects a temporary easing of systemic risk concerns.
Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, notes that implied volatility narrowing generally signals reduced uncertainty and a higher probability of sideways consolidation. He believes recent trading behavior favors volatility strategies rather than directional bets.
It’s also worth noting that the risk premium gap between Ethereum and Bitcoin is shrinking. The 30-day implied volatility difference has fallen to a stage low, indicating Ethereum’s hedge positions are unwinding faster. Still, the difference remains positive, suggesting the market expects Ethereum’s price swings to be slightly higher than Bitcoin’s.
From a longer-term perspective, the low volatility outlook does not mean an end to trends but reflects market waiting for new catalysts. For investors tracking Bitcoin’s price, Ethereum options strategies, and crypto volatility, patience and risk management are key, rather than aggressive chasing.
According to Red Star News, following the arrest of Prince Group founder Chen Zhi, the Cambodian Real Estate and Mortgage Loan Regulatory Authority (NRPC) on January 12 ordered a suspension of sales for five major apartment and residential projects under Prince Group. Existing buyers must fulfill their contracts; full payment allows for property transfer. This administrative decision to halt sales is based on recent major illegal activities involving Prince Group.
Additionally, the National Bank of Cambodia announced that, under the country’s current laws, it has officially initiated the liquidation process for Prince Bank.
Early 2026, the crypto market shows clear divergence. Overall, short-term rebounds quickly face selling pressure, with traders shifting from chasing gains to selling on rallies. Bitcoin briefly rebounded to about $92,500 but retreated after hitting resistance, now hovering near the 50-day moving average, with cautious sentiment. Analyst Alex Kuptsikevich warns that if it drops below $90,000, psychological impact could intensify, testing lower levels.
In summary, Ethereum failed to sustain upward momentum, falling back to around $3,100; XRP has weakened for several days, approaching key moving averages, indicating initial bullish momentum is waning. Derivatives data shows Bitcoin futures open interest has fallen to multi-year lows, often a sign of deleveraging and phase consolidation. Meanwhile, ETF capital outflows have stabilized, suggesting the most intense selling may have passed.
Amid macro asset pressure, Monero (XMR) stands out. Over the past eight days, XMR has gained about 44%, breaking above $600 and approaching $640, with privacy-focused assets gaining attention. Data from Santiment suggests privacy assets are playing a “safe haven” role in recent rotations but warns of a potential correction after social hype peaks.
On the macro front, global stocks remain strong, US Treasury yields inch higher, and the logic of non-sovereign scarce assets persists. Overall, market sentiment leans toward patience and selective positioning rather than outright optimism or panic selling.
Asset manager Grayscale has updated a list of assets under consideration for future investment products and a current asset list. The “Under Consideration” list includes digital assets not yet in Grayscale’s products but identified as potential candidates for future inclusion.
The new list adds 36 altcoins across five sectors: smart contracts, finance, consumer & culture, AI, and utilities & services. The majority are in smart contract platforms and finance.
However, inclusion in this list does not guarantee these assets will be added; it indicates active evaluation by Grayscale.
Early 2026, as Meme coins heat up again, CZ publicly clarified his stance on X, drawing community attention. He stated he does not oppose Meme coins and even recognizes their cultural and entertainment value, but overinterpretation of his comments is creating unnecessary risks.
CZ bluntly said that if investors buy Meme coins just because he casually posted about them, “they will almost certainly lose money.” He views such trades as driven more by emotion than rational decision-making.
In practice, CZ emphasizes that he does not intentionally promote any tokens or projects through his posts. He describes these as everyday sharing, including jokes and humor that are often trivial and unrelated to Meme coin issuance.
This statement is seen as a direct warning about the risks of Meme coin speculation. In the current crypto environment, Meme coin prices are highly social-media driven, volatile, and lack fundamentals. CZ’s comments serve as a risk reminder: equating personal remarks with investment signals can significantly increase losses.
CoinShares’ latest weekly digital asset report shows that global crypto funds experienced a net outflow of about $454 million last week, nearly offsetting the roughly $1.5 billion inflow in the first two days of the year. The core reason is the market’s weakening expectation of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in March.
On the macro level, recent US economic data reinforce the view to keep rates unchanged. According to rate pricing tools, the probability of a rate cut in March has fallen to single digits. CoinShares notes that this shift in expectations has prompted some institutions to quickly adjust risk exposure, triggering several days of capital withdrawal.
Regionally, the US was the main source of outflows, with nearly $570 million leaving in one week. Meanwhile, some non-US regions saw modest net inflows, reflecting divergent acceptance of crypto assets under different macro conditions and highlighting how US dollar rate expectations amplify market sentiment.
Asset-wise, Bitcoin-related investment products faced the heaviest pressure, with over $400 million in outflows. Ethereum also saw significant redemptions, and multi-asset products declined accordingly. Notably, even short Bitcoin products failed to attract safe-haven capital, indicating no clear directional market sentiment.
In contrast, some altcoins saw selective inflows. Assets like XRP, Solana, and Sui experienced varying net inflows, showing funds shifting from broad diversification to more narrative-driven or relatively stronger assets. This rotation aligns with the “selective allocation” trend since early 2026.
Looking at long-term data, 2025 saw total global crypto fund inflows of nearly $47.2 billion, close to record highs. Therefore, the $454 million outflow this week appears more as a short-term adjustment after rate path re-pricing rather than a trend reversal. As macro signals clarify, the structural shifts between Bitcoin and altcoins will continue to shape the market rhythm.