Pi Network halts wallet requests after large-scale scams target users.Scammers exploit public balances and impersonate trusted contacts.PI trades near $0.20 amid low liquidity and token unlocks.Pi Network has temporarily disabled its wallet payment request feature in response to a surge of sophisticated scam activity that has led to the loss of millions of PI tokens from user wallets.The move, announced by the Pi Core Team on social platform X, comes as attackers increasingly exploit the platform’s payment request function to trick users into approving fraudulent transfers.According to on‑chain data shared by community observers and reporting outlets, scammers have siphoned off more than 4.4 million PI by sending deceptive payment requests to holders with large balances.One single scammer address reportedly received hundreds of thousands of tokens each month throughout 2025.Tokens approved through these requests are moved instantly to the attacker’s wallet and cannot be reversed, meaning victims have no recourse once a transfer is authorised.The Pi Core Team stressed that this issue stems from social engineering rather than a flaw in the network’s protocol.Because wallet balances and addresses are publicly visible on Pi’s blockchain, bad actors can identify high‑value wallets and impersonate trusted contacts, friends, moderators, or even official accounts, to convince users to authorise transfers.To curb further losses, the network has disabled the payment request feature across its ecosystem while assessing potential safeguards.The suspension is intended to be temporary, but the team has not yet announced a specific timeline for restoring the function.In the meantime, community moderators and safety advocates are urging users to refuse all unsolicited payment requests.Scam tactics and broader security concernsExperts and user reports indicate that the scams are part of a broader uptick in deceptive schemes targeting Pi users.Fraudsters cast a wide net, from phishing links claiming fake airdrops or price promotions to counterfeit portals that ask for wallet credentials or private keys, which can lead to full account takeovers.Pi Network’s core team has repeatedly warned against sharing sensitive information or engaging with unverified links circulating on social media and messaging platforms.While Pi Network itself is not widely regarded as an outright scam project by independent analysts, its rapid growth, mobile‑centric model, and referral‑based incentives have drawn scrutiny and made its large user base a target for scammers.Users are advised to stick strictly to official communication channels and exercise heightened caution when interacting with unverifiable contacts.Impact on PI token priceThe payment request suspension arrives amid mixed sentiment around the PI token’s market performance.While Pi token’s price forecast remains optimistic, it currently trades near the $0.20 level, up only 1% in two weeks.Notably, the PI coin price has been weighed down by low liquidity and ongoing token unlocks, with significant amounts entering circulation in recent months.The token has struggled to absorb the added supply, and daily trading volumes remain moderate.The post Pi Network suspends wallet payment requests after scammers drain millions appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Most breaches involved failures in customer due diligence and identity verification processes.The action coincides with reports of a potential majority acquisition by Mirae Asset.The case reinforces stricter regulatory expectations across South Korea’s crypto sector.South Korea’s year-end move against Korbit marks a decisive moment for the country’s digital asset industry, as regulators signal that gaps in compliance will carry real consequences.On December 31, the Financial Intelligence Unit closed an on-site investigation into one of the country’s longest-operating exchanges with a significant financial penalty and management-level sanctions.The action, based on findings from an October inspection, places renewed focus on how exchanges verify users, manage risk, and expand services.It also lands at a sensitive time for Korbit, underscoring how regulatory discipline is shaping the future of South Korea’s crypto market.The FIU announced a 2.73 billion won ($1.88 million) fine after identifying nearly 22,000 breaches linked to anti-money laundering and customer verification obligations.The violations were uncovered during an inspection conducted between October 16 and 29, 2024, with the results later reviewed by the Sanctions Review Committee.Alongside the fine, the regulator issued an institutional warning and imposed individual accountability measures on senior executives.Inspection findingsA large share of the violations stemmed from failures in customer due diligence.The FIU found roughly 12,800 cases where identity checks were not properly conducted.These included the acceptance of unclear or unverifiable identification documents, incomplete address information, and lapses in mandatory re-verification processes.In several instances, users were allowed to continue trading even after their risk profiles increased, without additional checks being applied.Such practices run counter to requirements that higher-risk customers be subject to enhanced scrutiny rather than standard monitoring.The review also identified about 9,100 cases where customers were permitted to trade before identity verification was fully completed.South Korean rules restrict transactions by unverified users, making these cases a direct breach of core compliance standards.Accountability at the topBeyond operational failures, the enforcement action extended responsibility to leadership.The FIU issued an institutional warning to Korbit, while the exchange’s chief executive received a caution, and its reporting officer was reprimanded.This approach reflects a broader regulatory emphasis on governance and internal controls, where accountability does not stop at automated systems or compliance teams.Instead, senior management is expected to ensure that regulatory requirements are embedded across day-to-day operations and decision-making processes.Overseas transfers and new servicesRegulators also highlighted weaknesses beyond customer onboarding.Inspectors flagged 19 virtual asset transfers involving three overseas virtual asset service providers that were not properly reported.South Korean rules require exchanges to disclose dealings with foreign entities and restrict transactions with unregistered providers.In addition, the FIU identified 655 cases where Korbit failed to carry out mandatory money laundering risk assessments before introducing new transaction types.These included services linked to non-fungible tokens, an area of rapid growth that remains subject to the same compliance obligations as other digital asset products.Timing and sector impactThe enforcement action comes just days after reports that Mirae Asset is said to be considering acquiring 92% of Korbit for up to 140 billion won ($97 million).Korbit currently ranks as the fourth-largest exchange among South Korea’s six incorporated crypto platforms, placing it firmly within the regulator’s line of sight.The FIU said full details of the sanctions will be disclosed after a minimum 10-day period for opinion submissions.The post South Korea fines…

More than $107,000 in total losses have already been identified through on-chain analysis.No specific wallet provider or exploit vector has yet been confirmed by investigators.Attackers are siphoning small amounts under $2,000 per wallet, delaying detection and spreading risk widely.A new on-chain alert has drawn attention to a discreet but wide-reaching crypto theft campaign affecting hundreds of users across EVM-compatible blockchains.The warning, shared by blockchain investigator ZachXBT, points to a coordinated wallet-draining operation that has already resulted in more than $107,000 in cumulative losses.What sets this incident apart is not the size of individual thefts, but how they are carried out. Instead of targeting large balances, the attacker appears to be siphoning relatively small sums from a large number of wallets.Most losses remain under $2,000 per address, allowing the activity to spread quietly without drawing immediate attention from victims or monitoring systems.A stealthy pattern emergesThe affected wallets span several EVM-compatible networks, confirming that this is not limited to a single chain or ecosystem.Transaction data reviewed by investigators shows consistent timing and similar transfer amounts, indicating a coordinated effort rather than isolated incidents.So far, no specific wallet provider, decentralised application, or smart contract vulnerability has been identified as the entry point. There has also been no official confirmation linking the drains to compromised software updates or phishing campaigns.What has been established is that the stolen funds are being funnelled into related addresses, suggesting a single actor or closely connected group is responsible.This lack of a clear exploit vector has complicated efforts to contain the issue.Without knowing how access is being gained, users and developers are left with limited immediate options beyond heightened vigilance.Why small losses create big risksWhile the financial impact on individual users may appear limited, the method itself raises broader concerns.By spreading theft across many wallets, attackers can delay detection and reduce the likelihood of rapid, coordinated responses.Victims may notice missing funds days or weeks later, if at all.The approach also underlines the persistent risks facing self-custody users who interact with multiple chains, protocols, and permissions.Each interaction increases the surface area for potential compromise, particularly within the interconnected EVM ecosystem.The timing of the incident has added to unease in the crypto community.It follows a series of security breaches in late 2025 that renewed scrutiny around wallet approvals, private key management, and cross-chain activity.Exploits remain a constant threatThis episode fits into a wider pattern of ongoing security issues across the digital asset sector.Data from blockchain security firm PeckShield shows that December saw around 26 major crypto exploits, resulting in losses of roughly $76 million.While that total was significantly lower than November’s $194 million, it confirms that exploit activity remains persistent.One of the most prominent incidents during the period involved Trust Wallet, which disclosed a security issue linked to a specific version of its browser extension.The breach, which occurred over the Christmas period, led to about $7 million in losses.The company has since started compensating affected users and introduced updates to strengthen verification and reimbursement processes.ZachXBT has said the wallet-draining case is still developing, with fund movements continuing to be tracked.There is currently no confirmed explanation for how the wallets were compromised, and no single product or service has been publicly blamed.The post Silent wallet drains raise fresh crypto security concerns across EVM networks appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Stablecoins and the Base network sit at the core of its plans through 2026.The strategy places Coinbase closer to retail brokerages and derivatives platforms.Security and support concerns remain a constraint as the platform broadens.Coinbase is entering 2026 with a platform that looks increasingly different from a traditional crypto exchange.The company is placing greater emphasis on stablecoins, its Ethereum layer-2 network Base, and a wider range of trading products that stretch well beyond digital tokens.The shift reflects how crypto platforms are adapting as growth in spot trading cools and competition intensifies.Rather than positioning itself only as a gateway to cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is aligning its business around broader financial access, with trading, payments, and onchain activity increasingly converging inside a single ecosystem.Platform strategy shiftIn a New Year’s post, Brian Armstrong reiterated Coinbase’s ambition to build what it calls an “everything exchange.”The strategy focuses on expanding product lines so users can trade and interact with multiple asset classes from one interface.That direction was formalised at the company’s year-end conference in December, where Coinbase rolled out stock trading and prediction markets.These launches marked a clear move beyond cryptocurrencies and into areas traditionally dominated by retail brokerages and derivatives platforms.Coinbase executives have framed the rollout of stock trading on the main app as a key step toward enabling round-the-clock access to markets, with crypto, equities, and exchange-traded funds sitting side by side.Expansion beyond cryptoCoinbase’s product push is not limited to its exchange. The company has rebranded its wallet as an “everything app,” adding social networking features and deeper onchain functionality.The aim is to keep users active across more use cases, rather than relying solely on trading volumes.The company has also launched onchain prediction markets in partnership with Kalshi, allowing users to participate in markets tied to real-world events.Alongside this, Coinbase has flagged plans for perpetual futures that would cover both crypto assets and stocks.These additions move the platform further into direct competition with firms that operate across equities, derivatives, and commodities, rather than only crypto-native rivals.Stablecoins and BaseStablecoins form a central part of Coinbase’s longer-term roadmap.The company has described them as essential financial infrastructure, particularly for cross-border payments, payroll, and settlement.Armstrong has said banks are likely to seek interest-bearing stablecoin products over time, underlining Coinbase’s view that stablecoins will play a growing role in mainstream finance.Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, is positioned as another pillar of this strategy.The network is designed to support consumer applications, creators, and onchain services that can scale beyond Ethereum’s main chain.However, Base’s handling of creator coins has attracted criticism from some developers, who argue the approach risks prioritising viral growth while the company promotes creators as a key onboarding channel.The post Stablecoins, Base and ‘everything exchange’: a look inside Coinbase’s strategy to expand in 2026 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Pepe price was up more than 35% on the day as the cryptocurrency market witnessed a pumping start to 2026.There were also huge gains for Bonk, Floki and SPX6900, highlighting renewed memecoin vigour.Speculative enthusiasm is also driving price movements for top coins, Bitcoin and Ethereum.As of writing, Pepe ranked as the best performing memecoin among the top 100 by market cap.The frog-themed token had recorded an impressive 35% gain in the past 24 hours, trading to intraday highs of $0.000005667.Notably, Pepe’s price rally has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in trading activity.Per CoinMarketCap, the Ethereum-based memecoin boasted a 24-hour volume of over $1.4 billion, the metric up a staggering 650% in the past 24 hours.As bulls ride the uptick, short liquidations have amplified upward pressure. CoinGlass data shows over $10 million in liquidations for the token.More than $9.1 million of this is in bearish positions.Pepe Price ChartPepe price chart by TradingViewWhy is Pepe’s price soaring?Optimism around Pepe comes amid a bold prediction from James Wynn, a prominent trader on the Hyperliquid platform.Wynn has forecast that the memecoin’s market capitalisation could reach an astonishing $69 billion by the end of 2026.“Back on Day 1 of $PEPE when it was at $600k market cap, I called it to go to multiple billions. Ultimate conviction and belief – and it paid off massively,” he posted on X.“Now, I’m calling $PEPE to go from $1.7bn to $69bn+ in 2026.”It’s a bold take that suggests a potential 40-fold increase from its current level of around $1.7 billion.As he notes, Pepe has the potential to mirror or even surpass what Shiba Inu did in the previous cycle.The Pepe market cap has soared to above $2.3 billion hours after Wynn’s prediction.If realised, this could mean the token’s price catapults past the all-time high of $0.00002825 reached in December 2024.Wynn says a combination of technical, sentimental, and overall bullish catalysts positions Pepe well ahead of a fresh memecoin resurgence.He noted:“If this bull market is not over, which I do not think it is, there is a high likelihood in my mind we see $PEPE at the forefront of memes leading the way as money flows into T1 memes, and proper fundamental altcoins. All social metrics (crucial factor for meme coins) MASSIVELY favor Pepe, including exchanges using it as a branding in their posts to increase engagement and get more sign ups.”In his view, if Shiba Inu can spike to $41 billion, PEPE has the potential to go higher.Top memecoin Dogecoin soared to $88 billion when its price went parabolic, and Pepe could easily do $69 billion.Bonk, Floki, and SPX6900 among top memecoin gainersWhile Pepe dominates headlines, other established memecoins have also contributed to the sector’s strong opening to 2026.Floki (FLOKI), bolstered by ongoing ecosystem developments, has seen a 19% increase in the past day.Like Pepe, this comes alongside elevated trading volumes.Another top gainer is Bonk (BONK), the Solana-based community token.Renewed interest has BONK trading 15% up in the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, SPX6900 (SPX), known for its satirical take on financial markets, has surged 16%.Pudgy Penguins, Shiba Inu and Dogecoin are also boasting double-digit gains as the memecoin category as a whole witnesses a vibrant start to the year.The post Pepe soars 35% as top memecoins lead market rally appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Hedera (HBAR) is among the standout performers on the day after climbing above the key resistance level of $0.12.With the price up more than 10% in the past 24 hours, the altcoin stands amongst the top 100 gainers.Bulls could rally on factors such as growing confidence in Hedera’s enterprise-grade network.Hedera entered the new year on a strong footing, with HBAR registering significant gains to touch multi-week highs at $0.12.This comes after consolidating below $0.11 since the breakdown below the $0.12 threshold in mid-December.Per trading data, Hedera has seen a surge in daily volume, which stood at over $166 million and was 38% up in the past 24 hours.HBAR is notching gains as analysts attribute the rally to a combination of factors.Among these is the broader market’s post-holiday portfolio rebalancing and fresh risk appetite.The crypto project’s underlying network also continues to show robust activity, helped by enterprise partnerships and real-world asset tokenisation.What’s next for HBAR price?The surge to an intraday high above $0.12 could encourage bulls, particularly if risk assets flip the bearish sentiment seen in late 2025.Looking ahead, several potential catalysts could drive further upside for HBAR throughout 2026.Growing interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including those focused on Hedera, has analysts bullish on several altcoins. Currently, spot HBAR ETFs are seeing small but steady inflows.SoSoValue data indicates that over $50 million in ETF net assets represent over 1.1% of the token’s circulating supply.Analysts anticipate that additional ETF approvals or increased allocations could inject substantial liquidity.In this case, it would mean another regulated pathway for institutional investors to gain exposure to HBAR.Beyond ETFs, Hedera’s enterprise adoption remains a core driver.Institutional adoption was the major trend of 2025. For @Hedera, this has been the reality since inception.From institutional-grade DeFi to Verifiable AI and well beyond – 2025 was a year of growth across the ecosystem 🧵 pic.twitter.com/ggZ1BQNScb— Hedera Foundation (@HederaFndn) December 31, 2025The platform saw significant traction around real-world applications in finance, supply chain, and tokenisation in 2025.Upcoming milestones, including the expansion of the Governing Council and enhanced developer tools, are expected to accelerate ecosystem growth.HBAR price technical outlookFrom a technical perspective, HBAR’s recent breakout above long-term resistance signals potential for continued gains.Bulls are showing signs of retaking control as charts signal a double bottom in the $0.10-$0.11 region.A key technical breakout from a multi-week consolidation pattern is what buyers fancy. The initial price targets are above the downtrend line around $0.13.Hedera’s daily chart also shows that the 50-day exponential moving average sits in this region.Hedera HBAR ChartHedera price chart by TradingViewIf momentum sustains, projections point to levels between $0.15 and $0.20 in the near term.Broader market recovery and Hedera-specific advancements will drive this uptick. Notably, memecoins, as shown by a 35% pump for Pepe, could lead the early charge.However, risks, including macroeconomic factors, may see bulls’ advances repelled. Key support levels include $0.10 and $0.079.The post HBAR jumps to $0.12 as ETF inflows and enterprise demand revive Hedera’s bullish momentum appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Cardano price was up 10% to above $0.38 as Bitcoin crossed $90,200.ADA is eyeing a potential breakout to $2.Bulls will look to ride key catalysts in 2026.Cardano’s ADA token rose more than 10% to trade above $0.38, after buyers pushed the price back above the closely watched $0.35 level that analysts have long identified as a key support zone.The move comes alongside a broader upswing in the cryptocurrency market.Bitcoin advanced about 2% to trade above $90,000, providing a supportive backdrop for risk appetite across digital assets.Major altcoins also recorded strong gains, with Ethereum climbing above $3,100 and XRP jumping to around $1.95, helping lift sentiment toward Cardano.Elsewhere, memecoins led the day’s advances, posting double-digit increases as Pepe and Shiba Inu rallied sharply.Hedera also traded higher, adding to the broader altcoin strength.Cardano reclaims key $0.35 levelStrong buying activity has underpinned ADA’s recent advance, with more than $770 million worth of the token changing hands over the past 24 hours.Trading volume was up about 34% on the day, pointing to renewed market participation.Cardano’s price has now moved above its 50-day simple moving average, a level often watched for signs of shifting momentum.On-chain data also shows improvement in decentralized finance activity, with total value locked on the Cardano network rising about 7% to roughly $231 million, according to DeFiLlama.While the increase signals fresh inflows, TVL remains well below previous peaks of $544 million in August 2025 and more than $865 million in December 2024.From a technical perspective, analysts note that ADA had been tightly compressed between the $0.35 and $0.38 levels in recent weeks, creating a fragile setup.The push above $0.35 is seen as a potential break from that range and could undermine the prevailing bearish pattern if sustained.Cardano Price Cardano price chart by TradingViewIf this latest upside momentum holds, short-term targets include $0.42, with potential rally to $0.50.While risks like a drop below $0.34 persist, Cardano price could rally beyond $0.54 to see bulls eye 2025 highs of $0.73 hit in October. Above that lies the critical $1 level.In the medium term, crypto analyst Javon Marks says ADA price could target $2.9 with a seven-fold upside potential.Cardano regains top 10 market cap rankCardano extended gains on Thursday, rebounding after briefly slipping out of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation at the start of the year.ADA has moved back above Bitcoin Cash, with the recovery above the $0.35 level helping restore its position among the largest digital assets.The rally has lifted Cardano’s market capitalisation to about $13.6 billion.The move comes alongside broader stability in the crypto market, with Bitcoin trading back above $90,200.Strength across major altcoins has also supported sentiment, as Ethereum climbed to around $3,100 and XRP advanced about 5% to near $1.95, reinforcing the bullish tone around Cardano. The post Cardano price jumps to $0.38 as bulls reclaim key level appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Fake two-factor authentication phishing campaign emerges targeting MetaMask users.A sophisticated phishing scam targeting MetaMask users exploits fake 2FA checks.MetaMask phishing scam highlights rising social engineering risks in crypto security.A new phishing campaign targeting MetaMask users is drawing attention to how quickly crypto scams are evolving.The scheme uses a convincing two-factor authentication flow to trick users into handing over their wallet recovery phrases.While overall crypto phishing losses fell sharply in 2025, the tactics behind these attacks are becoming more polished and harder to detect.Security researchers say the campaign reflects a shift from crude spam messages to carefully designed impersonation, combining familiar branding, technical precision, and psychological pressure.The result is a threat that looks routine on the surface but can lead to complete wallet takeover within minutes.How the scam operatesThe campaign was flagged by the chief security officer at SlowMist, who shared details on X.The phishing emails are designed to look like official messages from MetaMask Support and claim that users must enable mandatory two-factor authentication.They closely mirror the wallet provider’s branding, using the fox logo, colour palette, and layout that many users recognise.A key part of the deception lies in the web domains used by attackers. In documented cases, the fake domain differed from the real one by just a single letter.This small change makes it easy to miss, especially on mobile screens or when users are acting quickly.Once the link is opened, victims are taken to a website that closely imitates MetaMask’s interface.The fake 2FA processOn the phishing site, users are guided through what appears to be a standard security procedure.Each step reinforces the idea that the process is legitimate and designed to protect the account.At the final stage, the site asks users to enter their wallet seed phrase, presenting it as a required step to complete the two-factor authentication setup.This is the decisive moment of the scam. A seed phrase, also known as a recovery or mnemonic phrase, functions as the master key to a wallet.With it, an attacker can recreate the wallet on another device, transfer funds without approval, and sign transactions independently.Passwords, two-factor authentication, and device confirmations become irrelevant once the phrase is compromised.For this reason, wallet providers repeatedly warn users never to share recovery phrases under any circumstances.The use of two-factor authentication as bait is deliberate.2FA is widely associated with stronger security, which lowers suspicion.When combined with urgency and professional presentation, it creates a false sense of safety.Even experienced users can be caught off guard when a familiar security feature is turned into a tool for deception.Early 2026 has already shown signs of renewed market activity, including meme coin rallies and growing retail participation.As activity increases, attackers appear to be returning with more refined methods rather than higher volumes of low-quality scams.The MetaMask phishing campaign suggests that future threats may rely less on scale and more on credibility.For users of MetaMask and crypto wallets more broadly, the episode underlines the need for constant vigilance.Security tools remain essential, but understanding how they can be misused is just as important as using them.The post Fake MetaMask 2FA phishing scam uses polished design to steal wallet seed phrases appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Render, Virtuals Protocol and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance tokens lead AI’s bounceGains come as Bitcoin breaks above $92,000 amid the geopolitical situation in Venezuela.RENDER price could rally to $3-$5 region in the short term.AI tokens have joined memecoins in starting the year higher, with Render price set for a potential retest of $3.This comes as the cryptocurrency market kicks off 2026 with renewed vigor. Bitcoin has broken above $92,000 while Ethereum bulls have eyes on strengthening above $3,100.Amid this, artificial intelligence-related tokens lead the broader recovery in altcoins, which in the past 24 hours, includes major gains for Virtuals Protocol and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance.Pepe soared to lead memecoin’s rebound last week.RENDER price gains 15% as AI tokens lead crypto bounceThe Render project offers a decentralized GPU rendering network, and ranks as one of the top AI tokens in the crypto space.Amid an overall spike for AI coins, its native token has surged by more than 15%.This move in the past 24 hours has seen the token top the $2.10 mark, with the uptick riding an intraday pump in buying pressure.Per CoinMarketCap, over $139 million in Render has been traded in this period.On a weekly basis, RENDER has posted over 56% gains. This aligns with a broader rebound in the AI crypto segment, where related projects have demonstrated even stronger momentum.For instance, FET has advanced by more than 15% in the past day and 30% this past week.Elsewhere, Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) has rallied more than 25% and 51% in the same time frames, respectively.Render price hovered near $2.07 at the time of writing.Bitcoin price buoys altcoinsThe gains for RENDER and other AI tokens have materialized against a backdrop of positive developments in the broader market.After struggling at the end of 2025, Bitcoin is showing strength as the price breaks above $92,000.BTC’s upside looks to have bolstered risk appetite across digital assets, even as geopolitical tensions escalate.Recent US military actions in Venezuela, including strikes and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, have introduced uncertainty.However, market participants appear to view these events as contained.Bulls are prioritizing Bitcoin’s strength and potential implications for energy markets over immediate risk-off sentiment.RENDER price forecastAs the new year unfolds, AI tokens are joining memecoins in delivering robust early performance.While investors could yet rotate into top coins, the early moves have the likes of Pepe (PEPE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) ranking among the top weekly performers.Render Price Chart Render price chart by TradingViewRetail enthusiasm amid some level of certainty will be good for small caps.In this case, RENDER could eye a breakout to $3 or higher.The charts show technical indicators pointing to constructive momentum.A look at the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests a potential upside continuation.Buyers may nonetheless have to contend with the resistance zone highlighted by the weekly moving average.  The post AI tokens lead crypto rebound as Bitcoin Breaks $92,000, Render jumps 15% appeared first on CoinJournal.

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January 15 AI agent marketplace launch is driving renewed Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) demand.Rising users, revenue, and partnerships support Virtuals Protocol’s growth.Bullish technicals and long positioning are accelerating VIRTUAL price momentum.The Virtuals Protocol price is surging as focus shifts to AI crypto ecosystems.Today, VIRTUAL crypto has surged by 22.3%, emerging as one of the strongest daily gainers, outperforming much of the broader crypto market.At the time of writing, Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) was trading around the $1.00–$1.05 range.This price action is not random, and several aligned catalysts are driving momentum higher.January 15 catalyst puts Virtuals Protocol back in focusThe most immediate reason the Virtuals Protocol price is pumping is anticipation around January 15.Virtuals Protocol is preparing to launch its first decentralised AI agent marketplace.This launch introduces the concept of autonomous, revenue-generating AI agents that can be deployed, traded, and monetised on-chain.For many traders, this represents a tangible use case rather than a purely speculative AI crypto narrative.As excitement builds around this milestone, capital has flowed back into VIRTUAL crypto ahead of the event.AI crypto momentum lifts VIRTUAL priceRecently, the broader AI crypto sector has also regained momentum.Renewed interest in AI infrastructure has followed high-profile developments across the industry.This sector-wide rotation has benefited projects with clear execution and real-world applications.Virtuals Protocol sits directly at the intersection of AI, agents, and on-chain automation.As a result, the VIRTUAL price has captured spillover demand from traders seeking exposure to AI-driven protocols.OpenMind AGI partnership strengthens the narrativeAnother major factor supporting the Virtuals Protocol price is its partnership with OpenMind AGI.This collaboration connects Virtuals AI agents with physical robotics.Recent demos showed robots running on OM1 OS autonomously executing voice-commanded DeFi tasks.These tasks included cross-chain USDC transfers targeting yield opportunities.This “embodied AI” angle adds depth and credibility to the VIRTUAL crypto investment thesis.On-chain usage is rising, not just hypeBeyond headlines, Virtuals Protocol is showing improvement in on-chain activity.Active decentralised exchange users have rebounded to roughly 3,700.These levels were last seen during the previous mid-December rally.More importantly, daily protocol revenue has climbed back to around $26,000.This suggests usage is translating into real economic activity rather than short-lived speculation.Ecosystem updates reinforce execution strengthRecent ecosystem updates from Virtuals Protocol have further boosted confidence.The project updated its website to clearly outline its 2026 roadmap and four core pillars.A full recap of 2025, shared on X by Virtuals Protocol, highlighted consistent shipping across the ecosystem.Multiple agent platforms, infrastructure tools, and analytics dashboards reached new milestones.These updates reinforce the view that Virtuals Protocol is actively building, not stalling.Elliott Wave perspective highlights key timingSome analysts note that the recent rally appears to be a three-wave move.Price reacted cleanly from the Fibonacci support associated with a potential wave 2 low.The next one to two weeks are considered critical.Holding a higher low on the next pullback would favour a five-wave advance.$VIRTUAL
Good reaction to our fibonacci support zone for wave ii but clearly only a 3-wave move to the upside. The next 1-2 weeks will be very important. If the price can hold a higher low in wave (4) in the next pullback, this would give us the next 5-wave move to the upside… pic.twitter.com/7iUGWTfwft— More Crypto Online (@Morecryptoonl) January 4, 2026Such a move would help confirm a larger trend reversal for Virtuals Protocol.Short-term outlook for Virtuals Protocol priceThe short-term outlook for the Virtuals Protocol price remains constructive…

PEPE memecoin surges with high volume and strong short-term momentum.Whale activity and open interest boost bullish market sentiment.Key support at $0.0000037, while the immediate resistance lies near $0.000010.The meme coin market is roaring back, and PEPE coin is leading the charge.After a quiet holiday period, speculative appetite returned with force.PEPE memecoin has surged over 61% in less than a week, reigniting retail and investor enthusiasm.Other meme tokens like BONK, POPCAT, and MOG followed, showing gains between 20% and 75% over the past week.This resurgence has pushed the total meme coin market cap above $46 billion, according to CoinMarketCap at press time.PEPE coin has particularly captured attention due to strong trading volume and community activity.Its 24-hour volume has exceeded $1.4 billion, confirming high liquidity and robust investor interest.The Futures open interest for PEPE has also risen sharply, hitting $470 million, a bullish sign for leveraged traders.Short liquidations totalling over $10 million in just a few days have added upward momentum to the price.Whales are reportedly increasing their holdings, further strengthening the bullish narrative.PEPE price technical analysisTechnically, PEPE has rebounded above key resistance levels at $0.000005648.Its 7-day and 14-day gains stand at 61% and 69%, highlighting strong momentum in the short term.However, traders should remain cautious, as PEPE is still below its 50-day and 100-day EMAs.A large head-and-shoulders pattern is forming, signalling potential bearish risk if momentum fades.This is further supported by the fact that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) for PEPE is above 74, indicating an overbought market.PEPE coin price analysisPEPE coin price analysis | Source: TradingViewHowever, the MACD shows a bullish crossover, reinforcing the possibility of further upside before an actual pullback occurs.PEPE’s price remains 72% below the all-time high of $0.00002803, leaving room for potential long-term growth.While recent pullbacks of around 2–3% suggest minor profit-taking, they do not negate the broader bullish trend.PEPE coin price predictionThe meme coin rally has been fueled by a rotation of capital from more stable assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.Lower volatility in major cryptocurrencies has allowed speculative tokens like PEPE memecoin to shine.Social sentiment also plays a role, as platforms and influencers share bullish setups and trading strategies.If bullish momentum continues, PEPE coin could rise toward the psychological $0.000010 level.The 50-day SMA and MACD signals suggest further upside is possible in the short to medium term.However, the head-and-shoulders pattern and EMA resistance indicate traders should remain cautious.The support at $0.0000037 is critical; a breach could trigger a retracement.Overall, PEPE memecoin shows strong potential for gains, making it a key watch for speculative investors in the first quarter of 2026.The post PEPE coin price forecast: bulls lead as memecoins roar back appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Ethereum price gains as bulls eye $3,500 amid broader cryptocurrency gains.The Ethereum network’s stablecoin transfer volume hit $8 trillion.Bulls could target a surge to $4,000-$4,500, although bears remain alert.The price of the Ethereum token is hovering in the green as optimism across the cryptocurrency market lifts Bitcoin to $93,000. AI tokens were among the cryptocurrencies that rallied.With ETH at $3,171 at the time of writing, analysts are pointing to a potential squeeze past $3,500.The top altcoin network’s unprecedented stablecoin transfer volumes, as well as overall risk market trends, make the odds in favour for the bulls.However, traders have also taken note of a $63 million short position by a major whale, largely signaling big investors’ view of the asset’s near-term trajectory.Ethereum price retests $3,200 resistance levelEthereum’s price climbed to highs of $3,211 early Monday.It marks a notable rebound that sees bulls reclaim the level after falling to lows of $2,700 in mid-December 2025.The token had failed to clear above $3,000 after climbing to near $3,400 earlier that month.Ethereum Price ChartEthereum price chart by TradingViewHowever, as top altcoins joined Bitcoin in a broader market upswing, ETH rose from a support level near $3,100.Bulls boasted the upper hand with daily volume jumping 40% to over $17 billion.Ethereum’s price gains aligned with the uptick for equities, which showed gains as the market reacted to news of a US operation in Venezuela.Analysts at QCP Group said in a note to investors.“After a range-bound December, crypto broke higher in early Asia, with $BTC and $ETH clearing $92k and $3,100. The move coincided with gains in equities and weaker oil prices following the US operation that led to the detention of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.”Gains for Ether also come as the network eyes momentum amid a record stablecoin transfer volume.Token Terminal data shows the Ethereum network has achieved a historic milestone, with stablecoin transfer volumes crossing $8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025.This record high, nearly double the volume recorded earlier in the year, highlights Ethereum’s dominance as a hub for stablecoin transactions.Real-world payment use rather than speculative trading provided fuel for this growth.Bulls target $3,500, but what do analysts say?According to QCP Group, crypto price performances in the past week show “alignment with broader risk assets.”This could signal a shift in sentiment, which may then strengthen bullish narratives.2/ Crypto’s alignment with broader risk assets is looking less like a coincidence and more like a regime shift to start the year, helped by year-end tax loss harvesting fading and policy optionality back on the radar.— QCP (@QCPgroup) January 5, 2026From a technical point of view, bulls have the potential to climb toward $3,500.If price breaks out above this level, the next target could be $4,000 or higher.This short-term outlook, however, may include a sharp reversal, with any upside squeeze threatened by profit taking.As aforementioned, a large whale has taken a $63 million short position, with a liquidation threshold at $4,545.Weakness may signal a pullback to $3,000, especially if Bitcoin falters and fails to extend gains.BTC falling below $90k will spell bad news for bulls.The post Ethereum network growth hits $8T milestone, bulls eye $3,500 level appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Crypto ETFs are being studied as a regulated gateway for public access to digital assets.Japan will cut crypto taxes to 20% and reclassify major tokens as financial products.Institutional shifts in Japan could have wider implications for global markets.Japan is laying the groundwork for crypto exchange-traded funds as part of a broader effort to bring digital assets into its regulated financial system.The shift was outlined by Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama during her New Year address at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where she confirmed government backing for integrating blockchain-based assets into the country’s stock and commodity exchanges.The comments place Japan alongside jurisdictions that are rethinking how digital assets fit within traditional markets, with 2026 framed as a pivotal year for implementation.Katayama described 2026 as the first year of a new digital phase for Japan’s economy, pointing to developments overseas to underline the direction of travel.She highlighted how crypto ETFs in the US have expanded access to digital assets by embedding them within familiar investment structures, rather than treating them as a separate asset class operating outside regulated exchanges.ETFs enter policy debateThe minister’s remarks signalled a clear intention to use existing exchange infrastructure as the foundation for digital asset adoption.By anchoring crypto trading to securities and commodity exchanges, policymakers appear focused on standardisation and oversight, rather than rapid deregulation.Katayama also linked crypto ETFs in the US to their growing use as an inflation hedge for households, suggesting that Japan is assessing how similar products could function within domestic portfolios.As Minister of State for Financial Services, she pledged full support for exchanges developing fintech-focused trading systems.This backing indicates that crypto-linked products are no longer being treated as experimental but as instruments that could sit alongside equities, commodities, and derivatives.Tax and legal reset for 2026The ETF discussion coincides with sweeping regulatory changes already locked in for 2026.Japan will cut its crypto tax rate from a maximum of 55% to a flat 20%, aligning digital assets with stocks and other conventional investments.The government has also reclassified 105 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.These changes allow investors to carry forward crypto trading losses for up to three years, mirroring rules that apply to equities.The clearer framework has prompted long-standing preparations by domestic firms.Implications beyond domestic marketsJapan’s evolving stance is being watched closely outside the country.As the largest foreign holder of US Treasury bonds, with holdings of about $1.2 trillion, Japan plays a significant role in global capital flows.Any reallocation by Japanese institutions toward digital assets could influence market sentiment well beyond Asia.At home, the Financial Services Agency has already approved the country’s first yen-pegged stablecoin, JPYC, and has discussed allowing banks to hold and trade crypto directly.Katayama has characterised 2026 as a turning point for addressing Japan’s economic challenges through fiscal policy and targeted investment in growth sectors, with digital assets now firmly part of that strategy.With lower taxes, clearer legal definitions, and ETF-style products edging closer, Japan is repositioning crypto from the fringes of finance toward the centre of its regulated markets.The post Crypto ETFs may soon hit Japan amid tax cuts and regulatory reset appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Starknet uses zero-knowledge rollups to batch transactions off chain and settle on Ethereum.The project is also pursuing Bitcoin DeFi integration through its BTCFi initiative.The STRK token price remained stable despite the disruption.Starknet, an Ethereum layer-2 network built on zero-knowledge rollups, entered 2026 dealing with an unexpected mainnet disruption that temporarily interrupted network activity.The incident surfaced at a moment when layer-2 infrastructure is increasingly critical to Ethereum’s scaling roadmap, with developers and users relying on these networks for faster execution and lower costs.As decentralised applications expand across finance, gaming, and experimental Bitcoin-linked use cases, even short periods of downtime draw attention to operational resilience.The latest disruption placed Starknet under that spotlight, testing its response processes while the broader ecosystem monitored network stability.The Starknet team acknowledged the issue through an X post, confirming that the network was experiencing downtime and that engineers were actively investigating the cause.The update stressed that work was underway to restore full functionality as quickly as possible, although no technical explanation was shared at the time.When the message was published, the mainnet had already been unavailable for just over two hours, marking a notable interruption for developers and users relying on live applications.Network interruptionThe disruption did not come with immediate details on whether transaction sequencing, proof generation, or another component was affected.Starknet’s architecture relies on batching large volumes of transactions off chain before submitting cryptographic proofs to Ethereum.Any failure along that pipeline can temporarily halt activity, even if user funds remain secure on the base layer.During the outage window, on-chain data indicated stalled execution rather than loss of state, aligning with typical safety mechanisms used by ZK-rollup networks.How Starknet worksStarknet operates as a ZK-rollup based layer-2, processing transactions away from Ethereum’s main chain and periodically settling them with validity proofs.This design aims to deliver higher throughput and lower fees while inheriting Ethereum’s security guarantees.The network has positioned itself as an infrastructure for complex smart contracts, decentralised finance protocols, and gaming applications that require fast settlement.Its reliance on cryptographic proofs means performance gains are tied closely to the reliability of off-chain components.Bitcoin DeFi focusBeyond Ethereum-native use cases, Starknet has been promoting a Bitcoin DeFi, or BTCFi, arc.The initiative frames the network as a bridge for Bitcoin-related financial applications seeking exposure to Ethereum’s programmability.By enabling Bitcoin-linked assets or logic to interact with decentralised applications, Starknet has aimed to broaden its relevance beyond a single ecosystem.The timing of the disruption, however, highlights how operational stability remains central as these cross-ecosystem ambitions develop.Market responseDespite the mainnet downtime, the STRK token price held steady at $0.08898 at the time of writing, suggesting limited immediate market reaction.Starknet priceSource: CoinMarketCapShort-term resilience in the token contrasted with the technical interruption, indicating that traders may be viewing the issue as operational rather than structural.As engineers continued work on restoring full functionality, attention remained focused on updates from the team and the duration of the disruption rather than price volatility.The post Starknet faces fresh mainnet disruption appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysXRP has flipped BNB to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.The coin could rally towards the $2.3 resistance level in the near term.XRP tops $2.1XRP, the native coin of the Ripple ecosystem, is up 13% in the last seven days, outperforming Bitcoin and Ether in the process. The rally comes as institutional and retail demand push prices higher.XRP spot ETFs listed in the United States (US) experienced inflows of $43 million last week. Data revealed that since their debut in November, the funds have maintained steady weekly inflows, suggesting growing institutional investor interest.The five XRP ETF products recorded approximately $13.6 million in inflows on Friday, taking the cumulative net inflow to $1.18 billion and net assets to $1.37 billion.In addition to that, retail interest in XRP is slowly returning following the coin’s poor performance in December. Data obtained from Coinglass shows that XRP’s futures Open Interest (OI) increased to approximately $3.8 billion on Monday, up from $3.6 billion the previous day. The OI averaged $3.3 billion on Thursday, signaling that retail demand is slowly returning. XRP eyes a breakout above $2.3The XRP/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient as the coin has performed well over the past few days. At press time, XRP is trading at $2.12, above the 50-day EMA support level of $2.05.The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator upholds a positive outlook on the daily chart, with green histogram bars expanding above the mean line. XRP/USD 4H ChartThe Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 75 and rising supports XRP’s bullish thesis. If the RSI continues to increase, XRP could enter the overbought region.If the bullish trend continues, XRP could rally towards the next resistance levels represented by the 100-day EMA at $2.22 and the 200-day EMA at $2.34. However, failure to push higher could see XRP retest the $2.00 psychological level once again. The post Ripple price prediction: XRP eyes breakout above $2.3 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysDOGE is trading above $0.146 after adding 18% to its value in seven days.The leading memecoin could face a correction below $0.14.DOGE trades above $0.14Meme coins such as Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Pepe (PEPE) are leading the cryptocurrency market rally thanks to the geopolitical tension in Venezuela. The United States conducted an operation in Venezuela over the weekend, capturing Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They were brought to the U.S. and will appear in federal court at noon on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York.This tension allowed the crypto market to rally higher, with Dogecoin extending its gain for the fifth consecutive day while SHIB and PEPE take a pause. The outlook remains bullish, but DOGE could face a slight retrace below the $0.14 level in the near term. Dogecoin could retrace below $0.14The DOGE/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient thanks to Dogecoin’s rally over the past seven days. The dog-themed meme coin extends its recovery over the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $0.14339 and could rally higher in the near term. DOGE/USD 4H ChartIf the bulls continue to push higher, DOGE could aim for the 200-day EMA at $0.18202, aligning with the overhead supply zone between $0.18100 and $0.18500.The technical indicators are bullish. The RSI of 73 shows that DOGE is heading into the overbought region. The MACD lines continue to rise alongside green histogram bars, signaling a surge in bullish momentum.However, if the bullish trend subsides, DOGE could slip below $0.14339 and risk retesting the $0.1300 psychological level.The post DOGE could retrace below $0.14 following recent rally: Check forecast appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Stacks price rose 12% to near $0.38 as Bitcoin flipped green.The layer-2 token could surge to $0.56 and target higher levels if BTC extends gains.Bulls may, however, face a pullback as RSI hits overbought conditions.Several altcoins, including Stacks, soared amid Bitcoin’s impressive rally on Monday. Ethereum and XRP also rose to key levels.While BTC pumped to above $93,800, the impact was for buoyed altcoins such as Stacks to spike to multi-week highs.As the flagship digital asset looks to hold onto the gains, the layer-2 solutions Stacks is off intraday highs and eyeing a key price level.Volume spikes hint at buying pressure for STX.Stacks price jumps 12% to above $0.37On January 5, 2026, STX surged by over 12%, outperforming many peers in the altcoin space.This upward movement coincided with Bitcoin’s push toward $94,000.BTC came close to the mark as buyers touched intraday highs of $93,972 across top crypto exchanges.Meanwhile, STX also briefly toyed with highs near $0.38 amid broad market optimism.Traders see Stacks as a “Bitcoin beta” play, where movements in BTC often lead to outsized returns.Utility for DeFi, NFTs, and scalable applications that are secured by Bitcoin’s network see several such tokens appeal to investors.BTC onchain never worked for institutions due to hard tradeoffs.That’s no longer the case.Stacks integrations and upgrades changed the setup.Here are 7 reasons institutions are now deploying BTC via Stacks. 🧵 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ikGxkv8kBV— The Advisor.btc 🟧 (@theadvisorbtc) December 31, 2025Stacks price forecast: channel breakout sees bulls eye $0.56The STX token has extended its recent advance following a technical breakout from a long-standing descending channel that had defined its price action for several months.The channel, characterised by a series of lower highs and lower lows, has been in place since the token peaked in May 2025, reflecting sustained bearish control.During this period, STX largely traded below its 50-day simple moving average, reinforcing the downtrend.The latest move above the upper boundary of the channel, however, has also pushed the token above its 50-day SMA, a development that suggests a potential shift in short-term momentum.Analysts note that this breakout opens the door to a retest of the $0.56 level, which coincides with the extension of the broader downtrend line from the May 2025 high.That area is viewed as technically significant, having previously marked the zone of a sharp 27% decline during the October 10, 2025 market sell-off, and could act as a key test of bullish conviction going forward.Stacks Price ChartStacks price chart by TradingViewOn the daily chart, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator continues to point to improving momentum, reinforcing the near-term bullish bias as long as buying interest remains dominant.That said, the setup also carries signs of overheating. The daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved into overbought territory, suggesting the rally may be vulnerable to a pause or reversal.Under these conditions, Stacks could see a period of consolidation or a sharper pullback if traders begin locking in profits.In the event of renewed selling pressure, analysts flag the $0.30 level as initial support, with a deeper retracement potentially testing the $0.24 area.The post Stacks price forecast: STX channel breakout points to retest of $0.56 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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FIU reviews linked crypto transactions to scams, fraud, gambling networks, and serious criminal activities.Non-compliant crypto platforms were fined ₹28 crore in FY 2024–25 for AML breaches.Authorities are building intelligence on transaction hotspots and high-risk digital assets.India is accelerating its push to regulate the crypto sector as enforcement agencies sharpen their focus on financial crime risks linked to digital assets.During the 2024–25 financial year, 49 cryptocurrency exchanges formally registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit, marking a decisive step toward tighter anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing controls.The move reflects a broader regulatory recalibration as authorities respond to growing evidence of crypto misuse and expand scrutiny across platforms operating in the country.The regulatory shift has also triggered wider discussion within the domestic crypto ecosystem.A recent post on X by CoinDCX CEO Sumit Gupta drew attention to the intensifying compliance environment, as exchanges increasingly operate under FIU supervision.The post circulated as registration, monitoring, and enforcement became central themes in India’s crypto policy during the financial year.FIU flags misuse risksA review of Suspicious Transaction Reports submitted by crypto platforms during FY 2024–25 revealed repeated patterns of high-risk activity, reported the Press Trust of India.The analysis found crypto funds linked to scams, fraud, gambling networks, unaccounted transfers, and peer-to-peer misuse.The FIU also identified more serious risks, including links to dark net services, terror financing, and child sexual abuse material.Exchanges under one regulatorOf the 49 registered exchanges, 45 are based in India, and four operate overseas.Unlike several jurisdictions where crypto oversight is split across multiple agencies, India has designated the FIU, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, as the single authority responsible for supervising crypto exchanges.Industry leaders have pointed out that India’s crypto market is more competitive than it is often perceived, with multiple platforms vying for users and liquidity.This competitive environment, they argue, can support innovation, provided regulatory expectations are clear and consistently enforced across all players.Compliance rules explainedCrypto exchanges in India are classified as Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers and have been covered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act since 2023.As part of this framework, platforms are required to submit Suspicious Transaction Reports, identify wallet owners, track token fundraising activity such as IPO-style launches, and monitor transfers between hosted and un-hosted wallets.Following registration, exchanges must also disclose their banking relationships, appoint compliance officers, conduct internal audits, apply risk-based customer checks, screen transactions against sanctions lists, and carry out regular risk assessments.All relevant data must be shared with the FIU to support ongoing supervision.Enforcement and penaltiesEnforcement has accompanied registration. During FY 2024–25, crypto platforms that failed to meet Anti Money Laundering (AML) obligations were fined a combined ₹28 crore.The FIU also mapped regional transaction hotspots and identified digital assets frequently associated with illicit activity, strengthening the government’s broader monitoring and intelligence capabilities.The post India tightens crypto oversight as exchanges move under FIU monitoring appeared first on CoinJournal.

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RWA projects are treated as illegal fundraising, securities, or futures activities under existing law.Hong Kong-linked and offshore structures with mainland staff are explicitly targeted.Liability extends to the full Web3 service chain, not just token issuers.China has delivered one of its clearest signals yet on digital finance, formally classifying real-world asset tokenization as an illegal financial activity.A coordinated notice from seven major financial industry associations places RWA tokenization in the same prohibited category as stablecoins, cryptocurrencies, and crypto mining.The move shuts down any remaining ambiguity around whether tokenized assets could evolve under future regulatory pilots.Instead, regulators have drawn a hard line that reaches beyond project issuers to the entire Web3 service chain, including Hong Kong-linked operations and offshore structures with mainland staff.The declaration was jointly issued by the China Internet Finance Association, the China Banking Association, the China Securities Association, the China Asset Management Association, the China Futures Association, the China Association of Listed Companies, and the China Payment and Clearing Association.Unified regulatory warningThe associations stated that RWA activities have no legal basis under existing Chinese law.Tokenization was defined as financing and trading through the issuance of tokens or token-like rights and debt instruments, a structure regulators say introduces layered risks tied to fictitious assets, operational failure, and speculative trading.Crucially, authorities stressed that no Chinese regulator has approved any form of real-world asset tokenization, eliminating claims that projects are in trial phases or awaiting registration.Legal observers described the announcement as a rare example of cross-industry coordination, typically reserved for moments when regulators aim to contain systemic financial risk.Legal breaches outlinedThe notice mapped RWA activity directly to violations under China’s Criminal Law and Securities Law.Token issuance to the public while raising funds can be treated as illegal fundraising.Facilitating token transactions or distributions without approval may constitute unauthorised public securities offerings.Trading models that involve leverage or betting mechanisms can fall under illegal futures business operations.Regulators also rejected the premise that token structures can guarantee ownership or liquidation of underlying assets.Even where teams claim transparency or genuine collateral, authorities argue that risk spillovers remain uncontrollable.Hong Kong and offshore routesThe warning explicitly targets projects that attempt to bypass mainland rules through overseas compliance narratives, asset anchoring claims, or technology service exports.China’s securities regulator is urging domestic brokerages to halt involvement in RWA tokenization activities in Hong Kong, extending the policy reach beyond the mainland.A key feature of the directive is the liability standard applied to service providers.Institutions and individuals who knew or should have known that they were supporting virtual currency or RWA-related business can be held accountable.This objective standard undermines common Web3 models that rely on offshore registration while maintaining teams and operations in China.Web3 service chain impactResponsibility is not limited to project founders.Technology outsourcers, marketing agencies, influencers, payment interface providers, and operational staff all face legal exposure if they support RWA projects aimed at Chinese users.The notice states that even employing a single operations worker in China can expose an offshore project to enforcement risk.Regulators linked the crackdown to rising fraud under the RWA label, including schemes involving stablecoins, valueless tokens, and mining narratives used for illegal fundraising and pyramid activities.The timing also aligns with China’s push to internationalise the digital yuan via a new…

The proposal would let regulators suspend transactions before gains are laundered or moved.Authorities want to extend stock market-style enforcement tools to crypto trading.Recent actions by tax and financial regulators show tighter alignment with traditional finance rules.South Korea’s financial regulators are reviewing whether to allow transactions to be suspended before suspected price manipulators can move or launder gains.The idea is to act earlier in fast-moving crypto markets, where profits can be transferred quickly and become harder to trace.If adopted, the change would mark a significant step in the country’s second phase of crypto regulation, which is expected to expand beyond user protection and address market abuse more directly, alongside work on stablecoin rules that are yet to be formally introduced.Early intervention toolsThe Financial Services Commission, or Financial Services Commission, is reviewing a payment suspension system that would allow regulators to block crypto transactions at an earlier stage.Local outlet Newsis reported on Tuesday that the proposal would enable authorities to act before suspected manipulators cash out or launder potentially illicit profits.Under the current framework, freezes often depend on court warrants.That process can take time, giving suspects room to conceal funds. Regulators argue that crypto markets move faster than traditional assets, making delays more costly.The proposed system would mirror tools already used in South Korea’s stock market, where accounts linked to suspected manipulation can be frozen before profits are realised.Closing enforcement gapsMarket watchdogs have flagged specific tactics that can generate large but unstable gains in crypto trading.These include front-running, automated wash trading, and placing high buy orders that inflate prices.Such profits can vanish quickly once assets are moved off exchanges.Regulators say crypto markets require stronger tools because assets can be transferred into private wallets with relative ease. This mobility, they argue, makes early intervention critical.Lessons from capital marketsSouth Korea has already expanded its powers in traditional finance. Amendments to the Capital Markets Act, an Capital Markets Act, took effect in April 2025.These changes allow account freezes for suspected unfair trading or illegal short sales.According to reports, the FSC discussed extending similar measures to crypto during a closed-door meeting in November.The talks took place while authorities were reviewing the first price manipulation case handled under the amended capital markets rules.South Korea adds on regulatory tighteningThe proposal builds on a series of measures highlighting South Korea’s effort to bring crypto regulation in line with standards applied in conventional financial markets.On Oct. 10, the National Tax Service warned that cryptocurrency holdings kept in cold wallets remain subject to enforcement, noting its authority to conduct home searches and seize offline storage devices in tax evasion investigations.On Dec. 7, the Financial Services Commission examined the idea of applying bank-style liability to crypto exchanges, which would require platforms to compensate users for losses caused by hacks or system failures even in the absence of proven negligence.The post South Korea weighs preemptive crypto account freezes to curb market abuse appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Morgan Stanley files S-1 for a trust tracking Bitcoin(BTC) and Solana (SOL).The trust will stake SOL, reflecting rewards in its NAV.SOL price rises 2.44%, breaking key Fibonacci resistance.Morgan Stanley has officially filed a Form S-1 application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish Bitcoin and Solana Trusts.The move highlights the bank’s growing interest in the cryptocurrency sector. It also reflects Morgan Stanley’s strategy to provide clients with diverse investment opportunities in digital assets.The proposed Solana Trust will allow investors to gain indirect exposure to Solana (SOL) without holding the cryptocurrency directly.Morgan Stanley’s institutional push into SolanaThe S-1 filing outlines plans to structure the Solana Trust as a Delaware statutory trust.Shares in the trust are expected to track the performance of SOL through a designated pricing benchmark.The trust will also stake a portion of its Solana holdings through regulated third-party providers.This staking mechanism allows rewards to be reflected in the fund’s net asset value (NAV).Morgan Stanley’s involvement signals regulatory confidence in Solana-based financial products.It mirrors the adoption path of Bitcoin ETFs, which saw significant inflows after bank-backed launches.The trust is passively managed, meaning it will hold Solana without active trading or leverage.Custody arrangements will involve regulated third parties to safeguard investor assets.The S-1 filing remains preliminary, with sales permitted only after SEC effectiveness.Investors seeking exposure to Solana through traditional brokerage accounts now have a potential path via this trust.Implications for the crypto marketInstitutional adoption like this tends to reduce sell pressure on staked assets.Already, over 563 million SOL are staked across the network, supporting price stability.The bank’s Bitcoin product will be called Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust.The trust will hold Bitcoin outright similar to the Solana Trust, without the use of derivatives or leverage, and will calculate its net asset value daily based on a pricing benchmark drawn from major spot exchanges.The fund will follow a passive strategy and will not actively trade Bitcoin in response to market conditions.Notably, Morgan Stanley’s filing follows Bitwise’s $16.8 million Solana ETF inflows earlier this week.It also coincides with a broader trend of altcoin rotation, as Bitcoin dominance dips and investors seek high-beta opportunities.Regulators’ response will be closely watched, particularly in relation to the VanEck Solana ETF decision due by October 2026.Market participants see this as a positive signal for Solana’s long-term growth and liquidity.Solana price reactionSolana’s price has responded to these developments with a notable rally.In the past 24 hours, Solana (SOL) has risen by 2.44% to $138.77, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC) and closely tracking Ethereum (ETH).The altcoin’s trading volume has also surged 43% to $5.1 billion, marking the strongest trading activity since December 2025.Technical analysis shows SOL has cleared the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $138.45 and the 7-day SMA at $130.5.Solana price analysisSolana price analysis | Source: TradingViewThe MACD histogram has also turned positive, confirming bullish momentum, and RSI-14 is also bullish, although nearing the overbought region.The next resistance is at $151.18, with support at $117.88, aligning with Fibonacci levels.The market will likely monitor whether SOL holds above the $138.45 support level to confirm continued bullish momentum.The upcoming options expiry on January 7, however, adds a layer of short-term volatility, with $145 million in SOL contracts set to expire.The post Morgan Stanley files a Form S-1 application for Solana Trust in the US appeared first on CoinJournal.

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