Today's Cryptocurrency News (January 30) | Crypto Market Liquidations Reach $1.8 Billion; Waller Becomes the Top Favorite for Fed Chair

This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of January 30, 2026, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:

1、Aster第六阶段空投倒计时：总计分配约6400万枚ASTER，引入销毁机制

Aster announced its Phase 6 token issuance plan “Convergence” on X platform. This phase will launch on February 2, 2026, representing the largest and most strictly regulated airdrop to date, and will be the final phase distributing tokens based on trading behavior.

Official disclosures state that Phase 6 lasts 8 weeks, until March 29, distributing a total of 0.8% of ASTER’s total supply, approximately 64 million tokens, with options for locking up to 6 months, and introducing a burn mechanism to reduce short-term selling pressure and tighten circulation.

The 0.8% allocation in this phase is split into two parts: 0.4% as a base allocation, claimable immediately; and 0.4% as a locked reward, which can only be unlocked after 6 months of lock-up. Users can choose their claiming method: selecting immediate claim grants only the base part, with the locked reward forfeited and burned; choosing full lock-up allows unlocking all at once after the period. Each early claim permanently reduces the circulating supply available in this phase.

Aster states this move aims to balance incentives and inflation pressure while encouraging long-term participation. As Aster Chain testnet progresses and staking features go live, future token releases will gradually shift from trading behavior-based distribution to staking contribution-based.

In the roadmap, Aster Chain is planned as a privacy-first, high-performance Layer 1 network, with testnet launching by late 2025 and mainnet deployment underway. Staking will become a core revenue source for ASTER holders, with long-term lock-ups helping to reduce market circulation and strengthen network security and engagement.

Aster notes that Phase 6 marks an important transition from incentive-driven growth to infrastructure and real-world application development. Through combining lock-ups, burns, and staking, ASTER is gradually building a deflationary economic model, aligning ecological development with long-term holder interests.

2、Vitalik Buterin豪掷4500万美元支持开源安全生态，以太坊隐私与自主权战略全面加速

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently transferred 16,384 ETH to fund a series of open-source security and public technology projects, estimated at about $45 million at current prices. This occurs as the Ethereum Foundation enters a “mild contraction phase,” aiming to control costs while ensuring long-term development and advancing core technical roadmaps.

Buterin said this fund is his “responsibility” during the contraction, taking over some projects previously handled by the foundation. He plans to invest this ETH over the coming years into building an “open-source, secure, verifiable full-stack hardware and software system,” covering finance, communications, governance, operating systems, secure hardware, and biotech tools for individuals and public health.

Regarding funding mechanisms, Buterin is exploring secure decentralized staking models, potentially using staking rewards as a long-term funding source for these projects. He emphasizes that Ethereum remains central to this open and verifiable vision, with the foundation continuing protocol-level development and prioritizing users who truly need decentralized technology, rather than merely scaling.

This aligns with his recent statements on Ethereum’s 2026 development direction. He stresses re-establishing advantages in privacy, sovereignty, and trustlessness, naming several ongoing tool frameworks aimed at enabling private transactions with user experience comparable to public transfers. He also calls for users to regain control of personal data and verify on-chain information via lightweight clients.

In social and dissemination efforts, Buterin expressed a long-term commitment to decentralized networks, believing that shared data layers and multi-client ecosystems will be key to future competition. With this fund deployment, Ethereum’s layout in privacy, security, and public tech enters a more actionable phase.

3、比特币与以太坊ETF单日流失近10亿美元，机构撤退令加密市场承压

Amid a sharp correction in crypto prices, US-listed spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced concentrated redemptions. Data shows that on January 29, nearly $1 billion flowed out in a single day, with Bitcoin ETF losing about $818 million—the largest single-day outflow since November last year; Ethereum ETF saw about $156 million withdrawn, continuing its recent downward trend.

Capital outflows coincided almost exactly with price declines. After Bitcoin fell below $85,000, it briefly dipped near $81,000; Ethereum dropped over 7% that day. Risk appetite cooled rapidly, prompting institutions to reduce overall crypto exposure rather than switch between different tokens.

Looking at product structures, many mainstream funds saw significant withdrawals. Some larger Bitcoin ETFs lost over $300 million in a single day, with others also experiencing tens of millions of dollars in outflows. Ethereum ETFs similarly recorded notable net outflows, with total assets under management dropping to about $16.7 billion, below early January highs.

Market sentiment worsened, closely linked to macro factors. Recent policy uncertainties in the US, volatile interest rate expectations, stock market weakness, and rising implied volatility have all suppressed risk assets. Some analysts believe that expectations of a more hawkish Federal Reserve leadership also increased defensive market sentiment.

Meanwhile, large-scale deleveraging in derivatives markets amplified volatility. After Bitcoin broke key technical support, chain liquidations triggered a cascade of forced sales, accelerating the downtrend amid shrinking liquidity.

4、以太坊1亿美元“幽灵基金”复活：源自2016年DAO黑客事件，这次将改写安全格局？

“Ghost funds” that have been dormant for nearly a decade are re-emerging. ETH from the early Ethereum DAO hack, which was unclaimed, is now being reorganized into a new network security fund aimed at providing long-term protection and stability for the Ethereum ecosystem.

Ethereum developer and community member Griff Green disclosed that these assets, originally meant to compensate victims but long stranded in smart contracts, will be incorporated into a plan called the “DAO Security Fund.” The funds will generate yield through staking and be continuously reinvested into security audits, emergency response, and infrastructure protection, rather than being distributed once.

Looking back to 2016, The DAO, a decentralized venture capital project, raised over $150 million worth of ETH but was attacked via reentrancy, transferring about 3.6 million ETH, leading to a hard fork splitting Ethereum into Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. Although most funds were returned after the split, some ETH from complex cases remained unclaimed long-term. At current prices, this residual balance is worth nearly $200 million.

Green said about 70,500 ETH and related DAO tokens will form the core of the fund. The plan aligns with Ethereum Foundation’s “trillion-dollar security” goal and adopts decentralized governance, including secondary funding, retroactive public goods funding, and multiple DAO voting mechanisms. Oversight includes Vitalik Buterin, Taylor Monahan, Jordi Baylina, and SEAL 911 team representatives.

From early vulnerability crises to now supporting DeFi, NFTs, and real-world asset tokenization, Ethereum’s security needs have evolved dramatically. The reuse of DAO ghost funds symbolizes the ecosystem drawing strength from past wounds to build a more resilient future. It’s not just a capital restart but a milestone in blockchain security evolution.

5、加密市场闪崩：24小时爆仓17亿美元，比特币创9个月新低

Crypto markets experienced a sharp decline, with over 6% drop in the past 24 hours. Total liquidation reached $1.71 billion, one of the most intense single-day liquidations in recent months. Many high-leverage long positions were forcibly closed, driving the sell-off.

Data shows that during this liquidation, longs lost about $1.59 billion, with over $900 million in forced liquidations in just the first 12 hours, impacting over 275,000 traders. The largest single liquidation exceeded $80 million, with liquidity rapidly drained in a short period.

Prices declined over 6%, with Bitcoin touching around $81,300, a nine-month low. Major assets like ETH, XRP, SOL also fell 6–8%. As a result, total crypto market cap dropped to about $2.9 trillion, with risk sentiment sharply rising.

The immediate trigger was linked to changing US monetary policy expectations. Market forecasts show the probability of Kevin Warsh becoming the next Fed Chair surged to 93%, up from below 40%, reflecting rapid market consensus shifts. Many see his hawkish stance as likely to tighten financial conditions further. Following the news, the US dollar index rebounded quickly, putting downward pressure on dollar-denominated crypto assets.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions escalated. The US declared a state of emergency and imposed high tariffs on countries involved in Cuba’s energy supply, raising concerns over global risk assets. Rising US-Iran tensions also increased safe-haven demand.

Tech sector volatility also weighed on sentiment. Microsoft’s earnings showed increased capital expenditure, raising concerns about AI costs and profitability, causing its stock to fall sharply and spill over into risk assets.

Overall, macro policy uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, and tech stock swings triggered this intense crypto correction. In the short term, Bitcoin’s price trend, liquidation risks, and macro news will remain key market focus.

6、18亿美元清算席卷加密市场！是“十月式崩盘”重演，还是一次深度洗盘？

As January nears its end, the crypto market is facing its most severe test since 2026. After eight weeks of sideways movement, the market suddenly declined about 7%, with risk sentiment plunging. Data shows that in less than 48 hours, total crypto market cap evaporated around $200 billion, triggering the largest liquidation wave this year, totaling about $1.8 billion, with approximately 95% from long positions.

This decline is not isolated. US markets also suffered heavy losses, with metals, stocks, and digital assets collectively losing over $5 trillion in market value, described by many as a “once-in-a-decade” volatility. AMBCrypto notes that this synchronized downturn across markets is changing investor perceptions of risk asset correlations.

Looking back to October 2025, the crypto market had been weakening for seven consecutive weeks, with a total loss of about $1 trillion. Gold was rising then, while crypto quarterly declines approached 24%. At that time, rumors about Strategy being included or removed from indices triggered a sell-off. Now, not only digital assets but also US equities are under pressure, indicating broader risk spillover.

Despite the macro environment still appearing relatively positive—crypto legislation approved, government shutdown ended—attention quickly shifted to Donald Trump’s statements on the next Fed Chair candidate. As news about Kevin Warsh spread, market volatility increased, and derivatives sentiment tightened.

Under these multiple factors, this sharp decline resembles a “collaborative” liquidation. Different asset classes are under pressure simultaneously, implying the sell-off isn’t driven by a single fundamental change but by systemic risk aversion. For some investors, this may be short-term pain; for others, a rebalancing opportunity. In the near term, high volatility is likely to persist.

7、加密资产暴跌冲击企业财库！Strategy与BitMine股价双双跳水近10%

In the past 24 hours, crypto markets experienced concentrated selling, with total cap down about 6%. Bitcoin fell 6.7%, Ethereum declined 7.6%, amid rising macro tension affecting risk assets. As a result, companies with core crypto holdings also faced pressure, with Strategy and BitMine stocks dropping nearly 10% in a single day.

Data shows Strategy’s stock closed at $143.19 on Thursday, down 9.63%, hitting a new low since September 2024. After-hours trading remained weak. Economist Peter Schiff pointed out that the stock has retraced nearly 70% from its all-time high and questioned its capital efficiency in long-term large-scale Bitcoin holdings.

Despite the stock weakness, Strategy continues to increase its holdings. On January 26, it bought about $90,061 worth of Bitcoin per unit, adding 71,2647 BTC, with a market value of about $59.1 billion. However, with its price-to-book ratio falling below 1, and considering shareholder dilution and high dependence on financing markets, further accumulation faces practical constraints.

Another crypto asset management firm, BitMine, also under pressure. Its stock closed Thursday at $26.70, down 9.89%, a low since November 2025. Recently, the company completed large acquisitions, buying 40,000 ETH, now holding about 4,243,338 ETH, representing roughly 3.5% of total ETH supply, over half of which is staked.

On-chain data shows BitMine currently has about $3.8 billion unrealized losses, reflecting the risk of high leverage and heavy crypto holdings during market downturns.

Other firms like Metaplanet, Strive, and Sharplink also saw declines. This pattern indicates that rapid price drops in digital assets can amplify financial statement volatility for corporate treasury holdings, potentially continuing to pressure related listed companies’ valuations in the short term.

8、5000万美元买金！萨尔瓦多黄金与比特币“双储备”策略再升级

El Salvador’s Central Reserve Bank (BCR) announced it purchased 9,298 ounces of gold for $50 million. This is the country’s second major gold purchase since 1990 and marks further diversification of its international reserves.

BCR stated that this purchase increased El Salvador’s total gold holdings to 67,403 ounces. In September 2025, the country had bought 13,999 ounces of gold with an equivalent amount. The central bank views gold as a “universal strategic reserve asset,” believing it enhances long-term financial stability and confidence amid increasing global market uncertainties.

Notably, El Salvador has not slowed its digital asset strategy. Official data shows the country holds about 7,547 BTC, worth roughly $635 million. The parallel reserve approach of gold and Bitcoin makes El Salvador unique among central banks.

Internationally, gold is experiencing a new demand surge. Since the start of the year, gold prices have risen nearly 20%, with many central banks accelerating their holdings. Poland plans to increase reserves to 700 tons, China has recently added physical gold. Market research suggests official disclosures may only represent part of actual holdings.

At the corporate level, efforts to “buy gold” continue. Tether increased its gold holdings by about 27 tons in Q4 2025, aiming for 10–15% of its portfolio in gold-backed tokens. On-chain demand for tokenized gold products like XAUT and PAXG has also surged, with whales increasing purchases.

As of press time, international gold prices are at $5,176 per ounce, with a significant correction in 24 hours. Ongoing geopolitical and macro risks continue to boost safe-haven demand. El Salvador’s entry is seen as part of a new wave of official gold buying.

9、Saylor强硬回应“paper BTC”质疑：Strategy持有的是真实BTC，持仓超71万枚

Strategy, a leading Bitcoin corporate treasury, is once again in the spotlight amid questions about whether it holds “paper Bitcoin.” Founder and Chairman Michael Saylor publicly affirmed that the company owns real Bitcoin and audits its custodians, denying any re-hypothecation.

Strategy holds about 712,000 BTC, mostly accumulated over the past two years. In 2024, it invested around $20 billion in BTC, and in 2025, added another approximately $23 billion. Since 2026, it has acquired over 40,000 BTC, nearly several times the new supply added to the network this year.

However, such large-scale accumulation has not led to a clear upward price trend, raising doubts about the authenticity of its holdings. Security researcher and CasaHODL founder Jameson Lopp pointed out that if these funds are not verifiable on-chain, the logic of “buying to push prices higher” does not hold.

On-chain analysis shows Strategy uses multiple custodians. About 420,000 BTC are traceable on-chain, but over 180,000 BTC cannot be directly verified due to custody structures. Analysts believe more than 110,000 BTC lack clear on-chain paths, which is the core of external skepticism.

Nevertheless, Saylor insists that the company’s assets are secure and transparent, emphasizing that “real Bitcoin” is fundamental to its long-term strategy. As of now, Strategy’s stock price has slightly retreated to $157.45, with Bitcoin experiencing short-term volatility after the FOMC meeting.

The debate over “real BTC” and custody transparency continues, making this a key topic in current Bitcoin market discussions.

10、哈萨克斯坦打造国家级加密货币储备！没收资产入库，政府资金正式进场

Kazakhstan’s National Investment Company NIC confirmed that the country will use confiscated digital assets from criminals to fund its national crypto reserves. This move signifies Kazakhstan’s formal inclusion of crypto assets into its sovereign reserves, alongside foreign exchange and gold, opening a new asset allocation path.

According to local media, NIC, an investment arm under the National Bank of Kazakhstan, has reserved about $350 million in forex and gold as foundational capital for this plan. NIC’s Chairman Timur Suleimanov said the reserves will be diversified, including crypto assets seized by law enforcement.

NIC also revealed that it has opened investment accounts related to crypto assets at the central securities depository, but will not directly purchase cryptocurrencies. Instead, it plans to invest via hedge funds and venture capital funds. Five hedge funds have been selected as partners, with further investments planned in crypto-focused VC funds.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to establish a national crypto reserve as early as September last year, proposing the “CryptoCity” concept to develop a smart city supporting digital asset payments. The reserve will include confiscated assets and some from state-supported mining activities.

Despite policy openness, Kazakhstan maintains strict regulation of unlicensed crypto trading. Earlier this year, authorities shut down over 1,100 online platforms offering related services, with bans lasting until the end of 2025.

As part of its digital transformation, Astana’s Financial Services Authority has begun accepting regulatory fees via stablecoins and is promoting a domestic stablecoin project on blockchain. Collaborations with banks and tech providers aim to accelerate compliance.

From confiscated assets to sovereign reserves and smart city plans, Kazakhstan is seeking a balance between regulation and innovation, potentially offering a model for other nations.

11、Polymarket预警反转！美国政府停摆概率骤降，市场风险情绪明显降温

Prediction market platform Polymarket’s latest data shows that the probability of a US government shutdown on January 31 has sharply decreased to about 40%, from over 80% earlier this week. This rapid shift indicates changing expectations in political negotiations, with reduced concerns over fiscal disorder.

US Congress is still negotiating federal funding, mainly over the Department of Homeland Security and immigration budgets. However, recent signals suggest closer to a compromise. As these signals emerge, traders on Polymarket quickly adjust their positions. Since Polymarket’s results are based on real money bets, its prices tend to reflect collective judgment faster than traditional polls, making it a “weather vane” for political risk.

The probability drop has also improved market sentiment. Government shutdowns typically disrupt economic data releases, federal services, and financial confidence, representing systemic risks. As uncertainty diminishes, capital flows back into risk assets and macro fundamentals. Bitcoin, tech stocks, and others gain positive sentiment, with focus shifting to interest rate paths, crypto regulation, and ETF expectations.

January 31 remains a key deadline; Congress must reach a funding agreement before then. Even a temporary deal can significantly reduce shutdown risk. For investors, progress itself stabilizes expectations. On social platforms, many see this as a “tail risk” mitigation, with confidence gradually returning.

Longer-term, avoiding government shutdowns helps maintain institutional stability and policy continuity, especially for finance and crypto sectors. Polymarket’s latest assessment is becoming an important reference for market re-pricing of political risks.

12、俄罗斯正式松绑比特币交易：散户年限额4000美元，2026年7月监管新框架落地

Russia announced it will relax crypto regulations, allowing retail investors to legally trade Bitcoin and other digital assets within certain limits. The new rules, disclosed recently, set an annual trading cap of $4,000 for individuals, expected to take effect by July 2026.

This change is seen as a significant shift in Russia’s digital finance policy. Previously, the country maintained a strict stance against crypto trading. Now, authorities aim to balance “limited openness + strong regulation,” protecting financial stability while providing compliant participation channels for ordinary investors. The policy is based on a regulatory proposal submitted by the Central Bank in December 2025, seeking a new balance between innovation and risk control.

Under the new framework, retail investors can buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptos legally, but all transactions will be monitored, with annual limits. Regulators will track capital flows and manage limits to curb excessive speculation. Analysts say this design helps reduce systemic risks while preventing uncontrolled capital outflows.

Internationally, Russia’s approach aligns with trends in many countries promoting crypto compliance. More governments are trying to guide markets with clear rules rather than outright bans. This can improve transparency and may boost domestic fintech development.

Market reactions suggest that Russia is paving the way for a more mature crypto regulation system. If implemented smoothly, this model could serve as a reference for other emerging markets. As details become clearer, Russia’s role in the global Bitcoin and digital asset landscape may evolve.

13、香港财库局：落实加密资产申报框架，推进2028年跨境加密资产交易税务信息自动交换

According to the Hong Kong Legislative Council’s Financial Affairs Committee official website, HK’s Financial Services and Treasury Bureau will hold a policy briefing. The bureau’s head, Christopher Hui, and deputy, Chen Haoliang, will attend. The document states that to promote sustainable and healthy development of the digital asset industry in Hong Kong and further strengthen its status as an international financial center, the government plans to submit legislative proposals to the Legislative Council this year. These proposals will implement amendments related to the crypto asset reporting framework and joint reporting standards developed by the OECD, aiming to enable automatic exchange of crypto-related tax information with other jurisdictions starting from 2028, to combat cross-border tax evasion and enhance international tax transparency. Public consultation on the legislative proposals is currently underway.

14、Zcash基金会发布2026年战略重点：Zebra、FROST和隐私保护援助计划

Zcash Foundation released its 2026 strategic priorities, including:

1. Achieving Zebra as the sole consensus node: focus on performance improvements, completing NU7 ZIP implementation, and advancing Z3 tech stack to replace zcashd;

2. Continuing development of FROST threshold signature scheme: plan to release v3, finalize ZIP-312, and introduce Distributed Key Generation (DKG);

3. Privacy assistance initiatives: promote “privacy by default” digital cash aid models and explore zero-knowledge proof-based identity solutions, balancing compliance, accountability, and privacy.

Additionally, Zcash Foundation plans to host three major events in 2026: Zcomm online on March 24, Zcash Dev Summit in Rome on May 8, and Zcon7 in Cancun from October 27–29.

15、凯文·沃什成美联储主席最大热门？Polymarket押注概率飙至93%

As Donald Trump prepares to announce his pick for the next Federal Reserve Chair, support for Kevin Warsh on prediction platforms has surged. Data shows his nomination probability once rose to 93%, jumping from below 40% to market consensus levels within a short period, indicating rapid capital focus on his likely victory.

Multiple media outlets report that the Trump administration considers Warsh a core candidate. Other finalists include Kevin Hassett, Christopher Waller, and Rieder. Trump is expected to announce the decision on Friday morning.

Age 55, Warsh served as Fed Governor under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and remains active in policy and academia. He has publicly called Bitcoin a potential “digital gold,” noting its cyclical patterns as an important reference for traditional finance. This stance has garnered significant attention among crypto investors.

In monetary policy, Warsh is seen as hawkish. Economist Alex Kruger suggests that if he advocates more flexible rate adjustments in the current environment, it could send new signals to markets. Wealth strategist James Thorne believes Warsh’s credibility and policy flexibility could foster more stable coordination among the White House, Treasury, and Fed.

However, some think his longstanding hawkish background may conflict with Trump’s desire for easing. Recent dovish statements may be strategic. Regardless, this nomination process has already impacted dollar liquidity expectations, Bitcoin prices, and risk sentiment, becoming a key macro variable for 2026.