Ethereum network activity is accelerating sharply, driven by a surge in new users and rising stablecoin usage, according to fresh on-chain data from Glassnode.The analytics firm reported that Ethereum’s monthly activity retention nearly doubled, signaling a wave of first-time users interacting with the network rather than just recycled activity from existing participants.New Ethereum Users Surge to Record LevelsGlassnode’s data shows that new activity retention jumped from just over 4 million to nearly 8 million addresses in one month, marking one of the strongest onboarding periods in Ethereum’s history.Activity retention tracks how many users continue to interact with the network over time, offering insight into whether growth is sustainable rather than one-off usage.“This reflects a notable influx of new wallets engaging with Ethereum, rather than activity being driven solely by existing participants,” Glassnode said.Daily Ethereum Transactions Hit All-Time HighNetwork usage has also exploded at the transaction level. According to Etherscan, Ethereum processed 2.8 million transactions in a single day, a new all-time high and a 125% increase year over year.Active addresses have more than doubled over the same period, rising from roughly 410,000 a year ago to over 1 million as of Jan. 15.Stablecoin Boom and Lower Fees Fuel GrowthMarket analysts attribute much of the surge to rapidly expanding stablecoin activity, combined with falling transaction fees as Ethereum continues shifting execution to layer-2 networks while maintaining secure settlement on layer 1.Macroeconomics outlet Milk Road said the trend highlights Ethereum’s long-term scalability strategy:“That’s the result of Ethereum pushing execution to L2s while keeping settlement secure on L1. That’s what scalable financial infrastructure actually looks like.”Analysts Turn Increasingly Bullish on ETHImproving on-chain fundamentals are boosting sentiment around Ethereum and its native token.Justin d’Anethan, head of research at Arctic Digital, said indicators that were previously oversold have flipped higher, supported by ETF inflows, stablecoin growth, and renewed institutional interest.Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research, added that Ethereum staking has climbed toward 36 million ETH, tightening circulating supply while usage accelerates.“These strong on-chain fundamentals position ETH for a potential breakout as liquidity tightens and scaling upgrades continue to lower gas fees,” Ruck said.ETH Price OutlookEther recently touched a two-month high near $3,400 before consolidating around $3,300, as traders digest the surge in network activity. Several analysts suggest the combination of rising usage, sustained ETF inflows, and improving sentiment could set the stage for a decisive breakout in the near term.As Glassnode’s data shows, Ethereum’s growth is no longer just about scale—it’s increasingly about retention, real financial activity, and new users sticking around, a mix that historically supports stronger long-term price performance.

Moldova is preparing to introduce its first comprehensive cryptocurrency law by the end of 2026, aligning its regulatory approach with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), according to the country’s finance minister.Speaking in an interview with state broadcaster TVR Moldova, Andrian Gavrilita said the government is actively working with domestic regulators to establish a legal framework that would allow citizens to hold and trade cryptocurrencies, while stopping short of recognizing digital assets as legal means of payment.“We have the responsibility to regulate them, and it will be the right of citizens to hold these currencies,” Gavrilita said. “You can’t prohibit cryptocurrencies — this is our engagement with the European Union.”MiCA Alignment Signals Moldova’s First Crypto LawThe proposed legislation would mark Moldova’s first formal crypto law, bringing the country closer to EU regulatory standards as it deepens cooperation with European Union institutions.The move follows the full rollout of MiCA, which came into force for crypto-asset service providers across the EU on Dec. 30, 2024, establishing the bloc’s first unified framework for crypto exchanges, custodians, stablecoins and token issuers.Under Moldova’s plan, the draft law will be developed jointly by:The Ministry of FinanceThe National Bank of MoldovaThe country’s financial markets regulatorMoldova’s Anti-Money Laundering authorityWhile crypto ownership and trading would be legalized, Gavrilita stressed that cryptocurrencies will not be approved for payments within the country.Government Warns Crypto Remains SpeculativeDespite the regulatory push, Gavrilita repeatedly cautioned against treating crypto as a conventional investment.“I avoid using the term investments when it comes to cryptocurrencies,” he said. “I see them more as a speculative domain.”Moldova’s central bank has previously issued multiple warnings about price volatility, fraud, and money laundering risks linked to digital assets — a position that appears consistent with the upcoming legislation’s cautious scope.Gavrilita added that Estonia’s crypto legislation serves as a reference point for Moldova, citing its relative simplicity and regulatory clarity.Broader European Regulatory ContextMoldova’s move comes as regulatory scrutiny intensifies across Europe, even under the MiCA framework. In late 2025, France joined Austria and Italy in urging the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to take direct supervisory control over major crypto firms.That push followed criticism of Malta’s crypto licensing regime, after ESMA concluded that the Malta Financial Services Authority only “partially met expectations” when approving certain crypto service providers.Moldova’s planned crypto law reflects a broader regional trend: legalizing crypto ownership and trading under strict EU-aligned oversight, while maintaining firm limits on payments and systemic risk. If implemented as planned, the legislation would formally bring Moldova into Europe’s regulated crypto landscape — cautiously embracing digital assets without endorsing them as money.

加密货币交易所 Kraken 分析认为，2026 年加密市场将经历重大调整，市场重心将从价格波动转向基础设施构建。Kraken 全球经济学家 Thomas Perfumo 指出，宏观不确定性与机构资金流、日益紧密的市场结构发生碰撞，正在重塑比特币周期。Thomas Perfumo 表示，比特币仍是衡量风险情绪的主要指标，但需求、流动性和风险通道已发生变化，去年美国上市的现货比特币 ETF 及数字资产财务公司贡献了近 440 亿美元的净现货需求，但由于长期持有者供应了大量可交易库存，市场表现未达预期，今年美国监管进展将重塑链上流动性形式。若缺乏明确的风险偏好背景，机构工具势头放缓及溢价压缩可能限制比特币的上涨空间。（The Block）

Belarus has formally introduced a legal framework for so-called “cryptobanks,” integrating digital asset operations into the country’s regulated financial system under direct state oversight.On Friday, President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19, which sets out how cryptobanks may operate and the regulatory conditions required for market entry.What the Cryptobank Decree AllowsUnder the new rules, cryptobanks are defined as joint-stock companies permitted to combine:Token-based operationsTraditional banking servicesPayment processing and related financial servicesRather than creating a separate crypto sector, the decree embeds digital asset activity within Belarus’s existing financial supervision framework.To operate legally, cryptobanks must:Obtain resident status in Belarus’s Hi-Tech Park, a state-backed innovation hubBe registered in a dedicated cryptobank registry maintained by the National Bank of the Republic of BelarusDual Oversight ModelCryptobanks will be subject to dual regulation:Financial oversight under rules governing non-bank credit and financial institutionsTechnological and operational oversight by the Hi-Tech Park’s supervisory boardAccording to the government, this layered approach is designed to allow innovation while maintaining tight regulatory control. Cryptobanks will be able to offer hybrid products that blend conventional banking with token-based transaction efficiencies, but only through licensed, state-approved entities.Part of Belarus’s Controlled Crypto StrategyThe decree builds on Belarus’s gradual and highly managed approach to crypto adoption. In September 2025, Lukashenko called for “clear and transparent rules” for the crypto market, stressing the need for innovation paired with strong state control. He also urged domestic banks to explore crypto-based payments amid rising sanctions pressure and increased use of digital assets in cross-border transactions.At the same time, authorities have continued to clamp down on unregulated activity. In December 2025, Belarus blocked access to several offshore crypto exchanges, citing advertising violations and signaling a broader effort to eliminate the crypto gray market.Big PictureWith Decree No. 19, Belarus is positioning itself as a state-controlled crypto and financial IT hub, allowing digital assets to operate only within clearly defined legal and institutional boundaries. The move underscores a model where crypto innovation is permitted—but strictly under centralized oversight and existing financial infrastructure.

1月15日，HTX DAO 发布公告称，2025年第四季度 $HTX 代币销毁已顺利完成。

比特币本周突破 97000 美元，打破了近两个月以来的关键阻力位，虽然此前表现落后于股票市场和贵金属，但最终突破了自 11 月以来一直限制其上涨的 9.5 万美元水平。由于美国潜在的进一步法币贬值正在推高贵金属价格，比特币相对于贵金属的低价可能会刺激资金轮动至数字资产，市场情绪指数也转为“贪婪”。在监管方面，美国参议院银行委员会推迟了其加密市场结构法案的修订，Coinbase 已撤回对该法案的支持，可能会对加密市场产生一定影响。（CoinDesk）

Iran’s cryptocurrency ecosystem has quietly grown into a multi-billion-dollar market, and it’s now closely tied to the country’s worsening political and economic instability. Specifically, new analysis from blockchain and cryptocurrency monitoring platform Chainalysis, published on January 15, reveals that Iran’s crypto economy surpassed $7. com source: https://www.techgaged.com/irans-crypto-activity-surges-during-protests-heres-why/

According to ChainCatcher, Forward Industries, a Nasdaq-listed company, has released its financial performance report, revealing its holdings of 6,979,967.46 SOL. Since establishing its Solana treasury, the company has staked nearly all of its SOL, earning 133,450 SOL in staking rewards. Additionally, Forward Industries disclosed that its SEC-registered shares were launched on the Solana blockchain last December through the Opening Bell platform under Superstate.

According to ChainCatcher, Nasdaq-listed company Aether Holding has announced the acquisition of the cryptocurrency news platform Coinstack through its subsidiary Alpha Edge Media. The specific financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. The acquisition aims to enhance Aether Holding's existing market analysis, research, and content operations. Following the completion of the transaction, Coinstack will continue to operate under its current brand.

Experts say bitcoin and crypto market liquidity are increasingly concentrated in institutional channels, with macro forces driving prices. source: https://www.theblock.co/post/385929/kraken-sees-2026-crypto-markets-shifting-from-hype-to-structure?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

According to ChainCatcher, Hong Kong-listed Derlin Holdings announced that its subsidiary, Derlin Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, received conditional approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) on January 15 to offer virtual asset advisory services. This approval allows the company to upgrade its existing Type 4 license, which permits advising on securities. Under the conditions of the approval, Derlin Securities can only provide these advisory services to professional investors who are existing clients of its Type 4 business. Additionally, Derlin Securities had previously been approved to upgrade its Type 1 license for dealing in securities. Derlin Holdings stated that it expects to officially launch virtual asset trading services in February, following the completion of system integration and testing with SFC-licensed platforms. This license upgrade is intended to support the group's strategic focus on the tokenization of virtual and real-world assets.

加密货币，正在从 “金融工具” 上升为 “地缘政治工具”，成为连接国家战略与全球经济的新型介质。

ARK Invest 掌门人凯茜·伍德（Cathie Wood）断言，技术通缩与生产力爆发将推动美国经济在 2026 年迎来 V 型反弹。

Chainalysis says Bitcoin has become a financial lifeline — and a tool of resistance — amid currency collapse, internet shutdowns and growing state pressure.

A Utah man, Brian Garry Sewell, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for defrauding investors of nearly $3 million and running an unlicensed cash-to-crypto business. He was also ordered to pay over $3.8 million in restitution to victims and the Department of Homeland Security.

1月14日，一部旨在为美国加密市场立规的法案——《CLARITY Act》，即将在参议院银行委员会迎来关键投票。

说到底，驾驭AI的方式一定不是追着AI工具迭代的速度跑。

Yellow Card 的联合创始人兼首席执行官，如何决定创建Yellow Card，以及在尼日利亚加密货币禁令时如何存活下去的，以及其发展的经验总结。

State Senator Chris Rose has introduced new legislation that would authorize the state treasury to invest directly in Bitcoin, approved stablecoins, and precious metals, framing digital assets as a potential shield against inflation and monetary instability.

Most foreign cryptocurrency exchange apps will be blocked from South Korea’s Google Play Store from 28 January because they are not registered with local authorities. Korean users can still access these platforms via web browsers or APK downloads, but this creates higher security risks and may shift trading towards domestic exchanges.