Cryptocurrency

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.

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.

Polygon Labs has bought US crypto payments company Coinme and Canadian crypto infrastructure firm Sequence to become a regulated payments platform in 48 U.S. states. The acquisitions give Polygon fiat on- and off-ramps, wallet infrastructure, and cross-chain tools to simplify crypto and stablecoin payments for businesses and consumers.

Licensed companies in DIFC now bear responsibility for approving crypto tokens, reshaping the regulatory landscape for privacy-focused assets.

Bakkt Holdings is acquiring Distributed Technologies Research Ltd., a stablecoin payment provider, by issuing about 9.13 million shares to DTR shareholders. The deal aims to speed up Bakkt’s stablecoin services, reduce reliance on third parties, and support upcoming neobanking and payment offerings.

BitGo launched its initial public offering on 12 January 2026, aiming to raise up to $201 million and list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BTGO. The IPO includes 11.8 million shares priced between $15 and $17, with the company targeting a valuation of up to $1.96 billion.

Viewership across YouTube and social media has sunk to bear-market lows, reflecting retail exhaustion, scam fatigue and a market increasingly driven by institutions.

A violent home invasion in southern France shows how cryptocurrency wealth is spilling into the real world — and turning investors into physical targets.

Crypto YouTube viewership has dropped to its lowest level since January 2021 after a sharp three-month decline. The fall reflects wider retail fatigue, with scams, poor returns, and a shift toward traditional assets reducing engagement across social platforms.