Crypto Market Check-In. Major Events & Headlines
The past few days have delivered a wave of updates across the crypto ecosystem, spanning infrastructure developments, funding activity, product launches, and broader market-related announcements.
Below is a snapshot of the most notable crypto news and ecosystem updates from recent days.
The past few days have delivered a wave of updates across the crypto ecosystem, spanning infrastructure developments, funding activity, product launches, and broader market-related announcements.
Below is a snapshot of the most notable crypto news and ecosystem updates from recent days.
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WINTER!
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
Kontigo case puts spotlight on USDC usage and compliance
Kontigo, a U.S. startup backed by Y Combinator and Coinbase VC, operates a platform in Venezuela allowing users to convert local currency into USDC and use it to move money and store value.
As the platform facilitated stablecoin flows interacting with the Venezuelan fin system, analysts raised questions about how it intersected with sanctions — what does this case illustrate about compliance considerations in complex, high-risk environments?
👉 fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/kontigo-ycombinators-venezuela-sanctions
Kontigo, a U.S. startup backed by Y Combinator and Coinbase VC, operates a platform in Venezuela allowing users to convert local currency into USDC and use it to move money and store value.
As the platform facilitated stablecoin flows interacting with the Venezuelan fin system, analysts raised questions about how it intersected with sanctions — what does this case illustrate about compliance considerations in complex, high-risk environments?
👉 fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/kontigo-ycombinators-venezuela-sanctions
Projects that will hold their initial listing next week
Presenting projects that announced their listing and plan to enter the crypto market within the next 7 days. The list includes Acurast, Summerfi, Seeker, Sentient and Immunefi.
Presenting projects that announced their listing and plan to enter the crypto market within the next 7 days. The list includes Acurast, Summerfi, Seeker, Sentient and Immunefi.
Anchorage Digital looking to raise up to $400M ahead of IPO
Anchorage Digital Bank National Association became the first federally chartered crypto bank in 2021 and is now well-positioned to lead stablecoin issuance and related services following the passage of the GENIUS Act in July.
👉 cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-bank-anchorage-digital-400-million-raise-ipo
Anchorage Digital Bank National Association became the first federally chartered crypto bank in 2021 and is now well-positioned to lead stablecoin issuance and related services following the passage of the GENIUS Act in July.
👉 cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-bank-anchorage-digital-400-million-raise-ipo
Elsa (ELSA) unveils tokenomics ahead of initial listing on Bybit
Total supply is 1B ELSA with 40% allocated for community. Elsa is an AI-powered co-pilot that simplifies blockchain interactions, allowing users to perform complex DeFi tasks like staking and bridging using natural language commands across multiple blockchains.
👉 x.com/HeyElsa_Foundn/status/2012481120865268143
Total supply is 1B ELSA with 40% allocated for community. Elsa is an AI-powered co-pilot that simplifies blockchain interactions, allowing users to perform complex DeFi tasks like staking and bridging using natural language commands across multiple blockchains.
👉 x.com/HeyElsa_Foundn/status/2012481120865268143
Ethereum daily transactions surge to a new all-time high
Record-high Ethereum transaction volumes, topping ~2.2 million transactions per day, are coinciding with gas fees below 1 gwei ($0.15), marking record lows. The shift reflects how recent upgrades and Layer 2 adoption are reshaping network economics.
👉 theblock.co/post/386079/ethereum-daily-transactions-surge-to-all-time-high-as-gas-fees-fall-to-record-lows
Record-high Ethereum transaction volumes, topping ~2.2 million transactions per day, are coinciding with gas fees below 1 gwei ($0.15), marking record lows. The shift reflects how recent upgrades and Layer 2 adoption are reshaping network economics.
👉 theblock.co/post/386079/ethereum-daily-transactions-surge-to-all-time-high-as-gas-fees-fall-to-record-lows
Elsa (ELSA) & ETHGas (GWEI) to list on Binance Alpha this week
HeyElsa is an AI-powered crypto assistant that helps users research tokens, track portfolios, and navigate on-chain data through conversational queries. Listing will take place on January 20th.
ETHGas is an infrastructure layer that enables instant, gasless transactions through blockspace markets, optimizing execution costs across Ethereum. Listing will take place on January 21st.
👉 x.com/BinanceWallet/status/2013168007401660806?s=20
HeyElsa is an AI-powered crypto assistant that helps users research tokens, track portfolios, and navigate on-chain data through conversational queries. Listing will take place on January 20th.
ETHGas is an infrastructure layer that enables instant, gasless transactions through blockspace markets, optimizing execution costs across Ethereum. Listing will take place on January 21st.
👉 x.com/BinanceWallet/status/2013168007401660806?s=20
Year-over-Year dynamics of Top 10 crypto ranking
Top 10 crypto rankings remained structurally stable year over year, but capital rotation tells a different story. Price compression, shifting narratives, and ecosystem momentum quietly reshaped positions across the leaderboard.
Top 10 crypto rankings remained structurally stable year over year, but capital rotation tells a different story. Price compression, shifting narratives, and ecosystem momentum quietly reshaped positions across the leaderboard.
Sentient (SENT) kicked off TGE Event on Binance Wallet
Sale Cap: $7.6M. Sale FDV: $380M. Current Pre-market FDV: $738M. Sentient is building the GRID, the largest open intelligence network, where 100+ models, agents, tools, and researchers operate as one.
👉 x.com/BinanceWallet/status/2012517867334606983?s=20
Sale Cap: $7.6M. Sale FDV: $380M. Current Pre-market FDV: $738M. Sentient is building the GRID, the largest open intelligence network, where 100+ models, agents, tools, and researchers operate as one.
👉 x.com/BinanceWallet/status/2012517867334606983?s=20
Top Protocols by Open Interest growth in the last 30 days
Open Interest is the total value of open derivative positions that have not yet been closed or settled. It shows how much active capital and leverage is currently deployed in the market.
Open Interest is the total value of open derivative positions that have not yet been closed or settled. It shows how much active capital and leverage is currently deployed in the market.
MegaETH to Run Global Stress Test Ahead of Mainnet Launch
MegaETH will open its mainnet to several latency-sensitive apps while the chain remains under sustained heavy load.
The team targets 15K–35K TPS and 11B transactions over seven days, with testing involving Stomp GG and Smasher, while backend load will be generated via Kumbaya using ETH transfers and v3-style AMM swaps.
Following the stress test, MegaETH plans to roll out its public mainnet with an initial lineup of USDM-powered DeFi and consumer apps, with additional integrations expected post-launch.
👉 x.com/megaeth/status/2013261434353053929?s=46
MegaETH will open its mainnet to several latency-sensitive apps while the chain remains under sustained heavy load.
The team targets 15K–35K TPS and 11B transactions over seven days, with testing involving Stomp GG and Smasher, while backend load will be generated via Kumbaya using ETH transfers and v3-style AMM swaps.
Following the stress test, MegaETH plans to roll out its public mainnet with an initial lineup of USDM-powered DeFi and consumer apps, with additional integrations expected post-launch.
👉 x.com/megaeth/status/2013261434353053929?s=46
Treasuries & ETFs Board. Crypto Accumulation and Capital Flows
Digital asset investment products recorded their largest weekly inflows since October 2025, led by Bitcoin ($1.42B) and supported by Ethereum and Solana, alongside strong inflows into blockchain equities.
However, momentum showed signs of fragility as spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $394M in net outflows on January 16, ending a four-day inflow streak.
Digital asset investment products recorded their largest weekly inflows since October 2025, led by Bitcoin ($1.42B) and supported by Ethereum and Solana, alongside strong inflows into blockchain equities.
However, momentum showed signs of fragility as spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $394M in net outflows on January 16, ending a four-day inflow streak.
OpenAI to Launch First Hardware Device in Late 2026
OpenAI plans to introduce its first hardware product in the second half of 2026, according to policy director Chris Lehane. Following the acquisition of Jony Ive’s AI hardware venture, io, CEO Sam Altman has suggested the device may be a screen-free AI product, though details remain limited.
The device is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2026, with the exact release date yet to be confirmed.
👉 x.com/DeItaone/status/2013267089541242990?s=20
OpenAI plans to introduce its first hardware product in the second half of 2026, according to policy director Chris Lehane. Following the acquisition of Jony Ive’s AI hardware venture, io, CEO Sam Altman has suggested the device may be a screen-free AI product, though details remain limited.
The device is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2026, with the exact release date yet to be confirmed.
👉 x.com/DeItaone/status/2013267089541242990?s=20
NYSE To Enable 24/7 Trading Of U.S. Equities Via New Tokenized Securities Platform
NYSE-parent Intercontinental Exchange is developing a platform for 24/7 tokenized securities trading. The digital platform will support round-the-clock operations, instant settlement, dollar-denominated orders, and stablecoin funding.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) said the launch is a bullish signal for crypto markets and exchanges, reflecting growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based trading.
👉 reuters.com/business/nyse-parent-intercontinental-exchange-develops-platform-247
NYSE-parent Intercontinental Exchange is developing a platform for 24/7 tokenized securities trading. The digital platform will support round-the-clock operations, instant settlement, dollar-denominated orders, and stablecoin funding.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) said the launch is a bullish signal for crypto markets and exchanges, reflecting growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based trading.
👉 reuters.com/business/nyse-parent-intercontinental-exchange-develops-platform-247
Cap Protocol Announces Upcoming ICO via Uniswap CCA
The sale will begin during the week of February 9, 2026.
1️⃣ ICO Details:
- Sale Allocation: 10% of total supply
- Initial Circulating: 11% (10% ICO + ~1% market makers)
- Payment: cUSD stablecoin
- Network: Ethereum Mainnet
- Valuation: FDV $150M, max $250M
- Lockup: None; 100% at TGE
2️⃣ Participation:
- Whitelist: CAPS holders, Frontier participants, pre-approved strategic partners get early bid rights
3️⃣ Bid Phases:
- Registration & KYC: 7 days
- Pre-Bid: 2 days (whitelist)
- Early Bid: 2 days (whitelist)
- General Bid: 5 days (open to all)
4️⃣ Innovative Reward – “Stabledrop”:
- Frontier participants receive cUSD from ICO proceeds instead of CAP tokens, balancing short-term gains and long-term token stability. Full payout details coming soon.
5️⃣ Next Steps – Frontier → Homestead:
- Frontier ends Jan 29, Homestead launches immediately
- Pendle markets open for asset rollover and point accrual
👉 x.com/caplabslimited/status/2013277345159749727
The sale will begin during the week of February 9, 2026.
1️⃣ ICO Details:
- Sale Allocation: 10% of total supply
- Initial Circulating: 11% (10% ICO + ~1% market makers)
- Payment: cUSD stablecoin
- Network: Ethereum Mainnet
- Valuation: FDV $150M, max $250M
- Lockup: None; 100% at TGE
2️⃣ Participation:
- Whitelist: CAPS holders, Frontier participants, pre-approved strategic partners get early bid rights
3️⃣ Bid Phases:
- Registration & KYC: 7 days
- Pre-Bid: 2 days (whitelist)
- Early Bid: 2 days (whitelist)
- General Bid: 5 days (open to all)
4️⃣ Innovative Reward – “Stabledrop”:
- Frontier participants receive cUSD from ICO proceeds instead of CAP tokens, balancing short-term gains and long-term token stability. Full payout details coming soon.
5️⃣ Next Steps – Frontier → Homestead:
- Frontier ends Jan 29, Homestead launches immediately
- Pendle markets open for asset rollover and point accrual
Cap Protocol is building a next-generation DeFi ecosystem focused on fair token access, sustainable rewards, and long-term community growth
👉 x.com/caplabslimited/status/2013277345159749727
Bitway (BTW) will hold its token sale on Kaito on January 21st
Sale FDV is $80M with 50% unlock at TGE. Bitway is a Bitcoin-native L1 and financial infrastructure platform designed to power gasless BTC transactions, native BTC lending, and on-chain asset strategies while connecting on-chain liquidity to broader opportunities.
👉 x.com/KaitoAI/status/2013288795387343329
Sale FDV is $80M with 50% unlock at TGE. Bitway is a Bitcoin-native L1 and financial infrastructure platform designed to power gasless BTC transactions, native BTC lending, and on-chain asset strategies while connecting on-chain liquidity to broader opportunities.
👉 x.com/KaitoAI/status/2013288795387343329
Biggest Perp DEXs by Trading Volume in 2025
Perpetual DEXs hit record trading volumes in 2025 as demand for on-chain leverage surged. Market leadership, however, stayed firmly in the hands of Hyperliquid, Lighter and Aster.
Perpetual DEXs hit record trading volumes in 2025 as demand for on-chain leverage surged. Market leadership, however, stayed firmly in the hands of Hyperliquid, Lighter and Aster.
Pendle Unveils sPENDLE, Replacing vePENDLE With a Liquid Staking Model
Pendle is overhauling its long-standing vePENDLE lockup system by introducing sPENDLE, a liquid staking token designed to improve usability, flexibility, and capital efficiency across the protocol.
1️⃣ Key Changes
- sPENDLE replaces vePENDLE: Users can now stay liquid while earning protocol rewards, with a 14-day withdrawal period
- Rewards funded by PENDLE buybacks from the open market
- No multi-year lockups required to earn rewards or participate in governance.
- sPENDLE is freely transferable and usable across DeFi
2️⃣ Emissions & Governance Update
- Manual gauge voting will be phased out
- An algorithmic emissions model will replace it, expected to reduce token emissions by ~30%
- Existing vePENDLE holders will receive boosted sPENDLE during a two-year transition period
3️⃣ How It Worked vs. Now
- Previously, users deposited yield-bearing assets (e.g. stETH) and received vePENDLE, gaining voting power and bonus rewards while their principal continued earning base yield
- With sPENDLE, users still earn those rewards — but without locking capital long-term
- In simple terms: base yield remains intact, while previously locked value becomes liquid and reusable
4️⃣ Timeline & Stats
- sPENDLE staking goes live: January 20
- New vePENDLE locks paused: January 29 (snapshot taken to calculate conversion boosts)
- Total Value Locked: Over $3B as of Tuesday
5️⃣ Why It Matters
- This shift turns long-term locked positions into flexible, liquid capital, lowering the barrier to entry and making Pendle more attractive to a broader range of DeFi users and investors
👉 x.com/pendle_grandma/status/2013438045991715047?s=20
Pendle is overhauling its long-standing vePENDLE lockup system by introducing sPENDLE, a liquid staking token designed to improve usability, flexibility, and capital efficiency across the protocol.
1️⃣ Key Changes
- sPENDLE replaces vePENDLE: Users can now stay liquid while earning protocol rewards, with a 14-day withdrawal period
- Rewards funded by PENDLE buybacks from the open market
- No multi-year lockups required to earn rewards or participate in governance.
- sPENDLE is freely transferable and usable across DeFi
2️⃣ Emissions & Governance Update
- Manual gauge voting will be phased out
- An algorithmic emissions model will replace it, expected to reduce token emissions by ~30%
- Existing vePENDLE holders will receive boosted sPENDLE during a two-year transition period
3️⃣ How It Worked vs. Now
- Previously, users deposited yield-bearing assets (e.g. stETH) and received vePENDLE, gaining voting power and bonus rewards while their principal continued earning base yield
- With sPENDLE, users still earn those rewards — but without locking capital long-term
- In simple terms: base yield remains intact, while previously locked value becomes liquid and reusable
4️⃣ Timeline & Stats
- sPENDLE staking goes live: January 20
- New vePENDLE locks paused: January 29 (snapshot taken to calculate conversion boosts)
- Total Value Locked: Over $3B as of Tuesday
5️⃣ Why It Matters
- This shift turns long-term locked positions into flexible, liquid capital, lowering the barrier to entry and making Pendle more attractive to a broader range of DeFi users and investors
👉 x.com/pendle_grandma/status/2013438045991715047?s=20
Ethereum Records All-Time High Daily Transactions
Ethereum processed 2,812,123 transactions on January 15, 2026, marking its highest daily transaction count on record.
This surge follows the increase in the block gas limit to 60M, which has expanded network capacity and coincided with a steady rise in new Ethereum addresses on a 30-day rolling average.
ℹ️ The milestone highlights:
- Sustained on-chain activity growth
- Strong network usage despite market cycles
- Increasing demand from DeFi, L2s, and Real-World Applications
This record reinforces Ethereum’s position as the most actively used smart contract network.
👉 x.com/etherscan/status/2012147082279416266?s=20
Ethereum processed 2,812,123 transactions on January 15, 2026, marking its highest daily transaction count on record.
This surge follows the increase in the block gas limit to 60M, which has expanded network capacity and coincided with a steady rise in new Ethereum addresses on a 30-day rolling average.
ℹ️ The milestone highlights:
- Sustained on-chain activity growth
- Strong network usage despite market cycles
- Increasing demand from DeFi, L2s, and Real-World Applications
This record reinforces Ethereum’s position as the most actively used smart contract network.
👉 x.com/etherscan/status/2012147082279416266?s=20
Treasuries & ETFs Board. Crypto Accumulation and Capital Flows
Digital asset investment products recorded their largest weekly inflows since October 2025, led by Bitcoin and supported by Ethereum and Solana, though spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $394M in net outflows on Jan 16.
As of Jan 20, institutional accumulation remains active, with Strategy announcing the acquisition of 22,305 BTC ($2.13B) and BitMine staking an additional $270M in ETH.
Digital asset investment products recorded their largest weekly inflows since October 2025, led by Bitcoin and supported by Ethereum and Solana, though spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $394M in net outflows on Jan 16.
As of Jan 20, institutional accumulation remains active, with Strategy announcing the acquisition of 22,305 BTC ($2.13B) and BitMine staking an additional $270M in ETH.