Summary
gm, Tether announces plans to integrate USDT on the Bitcoin and Lightning networks, potentially enhancing Bitcoin's role in the financial ecosystem. Kraken has resumed staking services for U.S. clients after a two-year hiatus, signaling a changing regulatory environment. Meanwhile, the SEC has granted initial approval for Bitwise's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, marking another step towards mainstream crypto adoption. Amidst these developments, Bitcoin's price has experienced some volatility, influenced by macroeconomic factors such as U.S. tariff announcements.

News Headlines
🚀 Spot Crypto ETFs and Direct Ownership to Blur Lines in 2025

  • In-kind redemptions for Bitcoin and Ether spot ETFs are expected to be implemented in 2025, allowing investors to engage directly with cryptocurrencies without immediate tax implications.
  • This shift could unlock billions in sidelined crypto assets and open doors for traditional investors to explore DeFi ecosystems more freely.

💼 TradFi Firms Show Interest in Bitcoin Margin Loans

  • Traditional finance firms are increasingly exploring lending and borrowing within the crypto space, particularly in bitcoin margin loans.
  • The liquidity of bitcoin makes it manageable from a risk perspective, aligning closely with conventional margin lending practices.

📱 Telecom's Future Lies in Decentralized Networks

  • Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) offer a solution to telecom industry challenges, including stagnant growth and rising costs.
  • These networks allow multiple parties to own and maintain infrastructure, providing rewards through blockchain incentives.

💰 Elastos Closes $20M Investment Round for Bitcoin DeFi Project

  • Elastos, a Web3 infrastructure provider, completed a $20 million investment round to enhance DeFi services within the Bitcoin market.
  • The company launched its Bitcoin DeFi protocol in Q2 2024, enabling users to collateralize Bitcoin and access Ethereum smart contracts.

📈 XRP's 50% Rally Outperforms Crypto Market in January

  • XRP experienced a 50% rally in January, outperforming Bitcoin's 13% gains and Ether's 4% decline.
  • The surge was driven by positive regulatory news for Ripple Labs, particularly the approval of its RLUSD stablecoin.

Market Metrics

Fundraising & VC
1. Cipher Mining (Post IPO, $50M) - Industrial-scale Bitcoin mining company
2. Irreducible (Series A, $24M) - Next-gen blockchain hardware acceleration platform
3. VitalVEDA (Strategic, $20M) - SocialFi’s AI-powered fitness platform
4. Cedar Money (Seed, $9.9M) -  Cross-border payments for businesses

On-chain Data
1. Sui (SUI) token unlocked today ($326M, 2.67%)
2. ZetaChain (ZETA) token unlocked today ($19.59M, 6.98%)
3. dYdX (DYDX) token unlocked today ($9.04M, 1.86%)
4. Forta (FORT) token unlocked today ($1.12M, 2.29%)

Regulatory
⚖️ Pump.fun Faces Class Action Lawsuit

  • Pump.fun, a Solana-based meme coin platform, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging illegal securities exchange operations.
  • The lawsuit claims the platform allowed creators to launch over 50,000 unregistered tokens, collecting nearly $500 million in fees.

📝 Blockchain Association Proposes Crypto Regulation Blueprint

  • The Blockchain Association has outlined essential principles to guide regulation in the digital asset industry.
  • The framework addresses twelve key areas, emphasizing standardized disclosures, robust safeguards, and the need for clear token classification.

🚫 Trump Bans CBDCs, Boosts Crypto Adoption

  • President Donald Trump's executive order banning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is expected to significantly enhance institutional cryptocurrency adoption.
  • Industry executives view the ban as a commitment to the existing crypto ecosystem, addressing concerns over financial stability and individual privacy.

🌐 XRP Ledger Launches Clawback Feature

  • The XRP Ledger has introduced a 'clawback' feature allowing for the reversal of transactions under certain conditions.
  • This feature aims to enhance security and compliance, potentially increasing confidence for institutions using Ripple's ecosystem.

Technical Analysis
Bitcoin - Investors have paid higher prices over time to buy Bitcoin and the currency is in a rising trend channel in the short term. Rising trends indicate that the currency experiences positive development and that buy interest among investors is increasing. The currency is testing support at points 101400. This could give a positive reaction, but a downward breakthrough of points 101400 means a negative signal. The currency is assessed as technically positive for the short term.

Ethereum -Ethereum is in a falling trend channel in the short term. This shows that investors over time have sold at lower prices to get out of the currency, and indicates negative development for the currency. The currency is testing resistance at points 3340. This could give a negative reaction, but an upward breakthrough of points 3340 means a positive signal. Volume has previously been low at price tops and high at price bottoms. This confirms the trend. The currency is overall assessed as technically negative for the short term.

Governance & Code
⚖️ Karrat DAO | ESports Tournament Prize in Karrat (Active Vote)
- This proposal requests 400,000 KARRAT to fund an E-Sports Tournament. $15,000 of Karrat will be distributed between four regional solo championships, $30,000 between four regional 4v4 tournaments, and $15,000 for the Creators Cup.

⚔️ Spartan Council | Deploy VVV to Perps V3 Base (SCCP 389) (Active Vote)
- This proposal aims to deploy a VVV market to Perps v3 Base.

❄️ Everclear DAO | Renewal of Karma Everclear Delegate Dashboard
- This proposal requests $25,000 for the "continued maintenance and development" of the Everclear Delegate Dashboard for 2025.