The White Whale

White Whale

Bitcoin

Axie Infinity

Hey crypto fam,This Week at a Glance<ul><li>US Senate delays crypto market structure bill again</li><li>EU advances Digital Euro framework toward 2029</li><li>Ripple’s RLUSD launches on Binance</li><li>Steak n Shake expands Bitcoin bonuses for workers</li><li>Vitalik calls for decentralized social platforms</li></ul>This week, crypto made headlines in courtrooms, boardrooms, and even at the checkout. In Washington, lawmakers delayed crypto legislation again, leaving builders and investors with more uncertainty. Meanwhile, adoption picked up outside Capitol Hill. From Trump Media’s tokenized shareholder program to Steak n Shake’s growing Bitcoin reserves, crypto kept finding its way into daily life.Institutions moved ahead with stablecoins, tokenized treasuries, and CBDC frameworks. At the same time, industry leaders brought back discussions about governance, decentralization, and who controls platforms. Traders leaned toward more structured investments as markets tried to balance hope with caution.All these changes show the industry is learning to grow even without certainty. We focus on what matters, cut through the noise, and help you see the bigger picture. Subscribe to keep up with the latest each week.Lead Story of the Week:<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/us-senate-banking-committee-delays-crypto-market-structure-bill-again/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The US Senate Delayed The Crypto Market Structure Bill Again, Prolonging Regulatory Uncertainty</a><img class="aligncenter size-full" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_PYMghXMAAH6vM?format=jpg&amp;name=small" width="624" height="602">The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has delayed work on a major crypto market structure bill until at least late February or March, which means more regulatory uncertainty for digital assets. Industry leaders warn that this delay could slow down innovation and investment, since crypto is still running without clear federal rules. While President Trump insists the legislation will be signed soon, congressional setbacks and waning industry consensus are keeping markets and builders in wait-and-see mode. <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/us-senate-banking-committee-delays-crypto-market-structure-bill-again/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Read the full story</a><h2 id="b-other-news-making-waves-b">Other News Making Waves</h2><h3 id="b-markets-trading-b">Markets &amp; Trading</h3><ul><li><h3 id="b-bitcoin-steadies-near-90k-as-policy-uncertainty-tempers-risk-b-span-i-span-span-i-a-href-https-defi-planet-com-2026-01-bitcoin-pauses-below-90k-as-u-s-senate-crypto-bill-delayed-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-i-span-more-span-i-a-i-span-span-i-span">Bitcoin steadies near $90K as policy uncertainty tempers risk (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/bitcoin-pauses-below-90k-as-u-s-senate-crypto-bill-delayed/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</h3></li></ul><img class="aligncenter size-full" src="https://bernardmarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bitcoin-800x449.jpg" width="800" height="449">Bitcoin is hovering near the $90,000 level after easing geopolitical tensions briefly <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/bitcoin-pauses-below-90k-as-u-s-senate-crypto-bill-delayed/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">lifted</a>risk appetite across markets. That recovery, however, has been capped by continued uncertainty in Washington, where delays to a U.S. crypto market structure bill have pushed regulatory clarity further out. As a result, Bitcoin is trading more like a high-beta risk asset than a hedge.&nbsp;<ul><li><h3 id="b-bingx-s-tradfi-surge-highlights-demand-for-safer-exposure-b-span-i-span-span-i-a-href-https-defi-planet-com-2026-01-bingx-tradfi-trading-volume-crosses-1-billion-in-24-hours-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-i-span-more-span-i-a-i-span-span-i-span">BingX’s TradFi surge highlights demand for safer exposure (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/bingx-tradfi-trading-volume-crosses-1-billion-in-24-hours/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</h3></li></ul><img class="aligncenter size-full" src="https://liquidityfinder.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fucdn.liquidityfinder.com%2Febc39aaf1aa00dd76e57c2b3e_BingX%20Logo.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" width="1200" height="600">BingX’s $1 billion surge in TradFi trading volume reflects a broader shift in trader behaviour toward lower-volatility assets. Gold products dominated activity, <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/bingx-tradfi-trading-volume-crosses-1-billion-in-24-hours/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">signalling</a>demand for familiar stores of value amid uncertain crypto conditions. At the same time, adoption of TradFi copy trading accelerated as users followed experienced strategies rather than chasing speculative bets. Together, the trend shows traders increasingly favouring structured, risk-managed exposure over pure crypto speculation.<ul><li><h3 id="b-binance-australia-restores-banking-access-as-fiat-demand-returns-b-span-i-span-span-i-a-href-https-defi-planet-com-2026-01-binance-restores-direct-bank-transfers-in-australia-after-two-year-banking-freeze-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-i-span-more-span-i-a-i-span-span-i-span">Binance Australia restores banking access as fiat demand returns (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/binance-restores-direct-bank-transfers-in-australia-after-two-year-banking-freeze/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</h3></li></ul><img class="aligncenter size-full" src="https://public.bnbstatic.com/image/cms/blog/20240313/2d88e5d8-452f-4868-a3c3-a176c97b487a.png" width="1600" height="900">Direct bank transfers are back on Binance Australia, showing how important fiat access is for everyday crypto users. After almost two years of problems, people can now move money easily between banks and exchanges again, which removes barriers that had <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/binance-restores-direct-bank-transfers-in-australia-after-two-year-banking-freeze/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">driven</a> some traders away. The relaunch follows stricter compliance measures and a new payments partnership. As regulation stabilizes, exchanges are focusing more on building solid infrastructure instead of just expanding quickly.&nbsp;<h3 id="b-on-chain-money-financial-infrastructure-b">On-Chain Money &amp; Financial Infrastructure</h3><ul><li>Tokenized real estate is shifting toward yield-based, standardized on-chain models, RWA.xyz reports. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/tokenized-real-estate-shifts-toward-on-chain-yield-as-crypto-markets-mature/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>The EU adopted the Digital Euro framework, targeting CBDC rollout by 2029. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/eu-commission-adopts-digital-euro-framework-to-modernize-payments/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin launched on Binance with Ethereum support and XRPL coming soon. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/ripples-rlusd-stablecoin-hits-binance-expands-multichain-access-for-global-users/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>India proposed linking BRICS CBDCs to improve cross-border payments and trade. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/india-pushes-brics-cbdc-connectivity-plan-ahead-of-2026-summit/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li></ul><h3 id="b-ecosystem-governance-industry-moves-b">Ecosystem, Governance &amp; Industry Moves</h3><ul><li>Solana’s co-founder proposed releasing 20%+ tokens at launch with one-year investor lockups.(<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/solana-co-founder-proposes-radical-shift-in-project-tokenomics/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>WLFI faced criticism after a small group of wallets dominated a governance vote. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/wlfi-governance-vote-sparks-centralization-concerns/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Vitalik Buterin called for decentralized social media over algorithm and token-driven platforms. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/vitalik-buterin-calls-for-decentralized-social-media-targets-algorithms-and-token-hype/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Ripple executive Monica Long predicted half of Fortune 500 firms will adopt crypto by 2026. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/ripple-exec-predicts-half-of-fortune-500-firms-to-adopt-crypto-strategies-by-2026/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li></ul><h3 id="b-adoption-real-world-use-b">Adoption &amp; Real-World Use</h3><ul><li>Trump Media set February 2 for its shareholder token airdrop, with Crypto.com managing custody. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/trump-media-sets-february-2-record-date-for-shareholder-token-airdrop/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>CoinsBee enabled eCash payments across 5,000+ global brands for everyday spending. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/coinsbee-expands-crypto-payments-with-ecash-xec-across-5000-global-brands/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Steak n Shake introduced Bitcoin bonuses for hourly workers and expanded its BTC reserves. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/steak-n-shake-introduces-bitcoin-bonuses-for-hourly-workers/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li></ul><h2 id="b-regulation-policy-watch-b">Regulation &amp; Policy Watch</h2><ul><li>The SEC received new filings on self-custody rights and DeFi trading rules. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/sec-crypto-task-force-receives-new-submissions-on-self-custody-rights-and-defi-trading-rules/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>White House advisor Patrick Witt urged passage of the CLARITY Act to avoid harsher future crypto laws. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/patrick-witt-advocates-for-urgent-market-structure-legislation-to-avoid-punitive-future-laws/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Portugal banned Polymarket for operating without a gambling license. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/portugal-bans-polymarket-over-unlicensed-gambling-concerns/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>South Korea began reviewing exclusive bank-exchange partnerships over competition concerns. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/south-korea-reviews-bank-exchange-partnerships-amid-crypto-competition-concerns/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Hong Kong’s crypto industry backed CARF rules but warned against harsh penalties and liability risks. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/hong-kong-crypto-industry-pushes-back-on-oecd-reporting-rules/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Indian agencies warned of a crypto-based hawala network funding activities in Jammu and Kashmir. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/india-flags-emergence-of-crypto-hawala-network-funding-terror-activities-in-jammu-and-kashmir/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li><li>Hong Kong plans to issue its first stablecoin licences in Q1 to strengthen crypto regulation. (<a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/hong-kong-to-issue-first-stablecoin-licences-in-early-2026-as-digital-asset-push-accelerates/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">More</a>)</li></ul><h2 id="b-market-movers-winners-and-losers-b">Market Movers: Winners and Losers</h2><h3 id="span-top-5-gainers-img-src-https-s-w-org-images-core-emoji-16-0-1-72x72-1f4c8-png-alt-class-wp-smiley-span">Top 5 Gainers <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4c8.png" alt="📈" class="wp-smiley">&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Kyuzo’s Friends +63.63%, from $0.03681735 to $0.060238</li><li>DUSK +61.68%, from $0.108012 to $0.174634</li><li>Radix +144.79%, from $0.00124639 to $0.00305033</li><li>Surge +113.04%, from $0.058811 to $0.125290</li><li>Axie Infinity +105.34%, from $1.31 to $2.69</li></ul><h3 id="span-top-5-losers-img-src-https-s-w-org-images-core-emoji-16-0-1-72x72-1f4c9-png-alt-class-wp-smiley-span">Top 5 Losers <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4c9.png" alt="📉" class="wp-smiley"></h3><ul><li>The White Whale -41.59%, from $0.079545 to $0.04646820</li><li>Merlin Chain -50.17%, from $0.256966 to $0.128050</li><li>Prom -45.71%, from $4.20 to $2.28</li><li>Avici -23.87%, from $3.77 to $2.87</li><li>Pirate Chain -23.66%, from $0.560965 to $0.428295</li></ul>Data source: <a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/crypto-gainers-losers?time=d7" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CoinGecko</a><h2 id="b-project-spotlight-b">Project Spotlight</h2><a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/laser-digital-launches-upgraded-tokenized-bitcoin-diversified-yield-fund-for-institutional-investors/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Laser Digital Launches Tokenized Bitcoin Yield Fund for Institutions</a><img class="aligncenter size-full" src="https://liquidityfinder.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fucdn.liquidityfinder.com%2Fd287625aa4fc36a0f27364a00_Laser%20Digital.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" width="1200" height="600">Laser Digital, Nomura’s digital asset arm, has <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/laser-digital-launches-upgraded-tokenized-bitcoin-diversified-yield-fund-for-institutional-investors/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">launched</a>the Bitcoin Diversified Yield Fund (BDYF), the first natively tokenized Cayman-based Bitcoin yield fund aimed at institutional and accredited investors. The fund combines long-term Bitcoin exposure with market-neutral DeFi strategies such as lending, options, and arbitrage to generate sustainable yield beyond BTC price appreciation. Custodied by Komainu and tokenized via KAIO, BDYF offers regulated, on-chain access to Bitcoin returns, with minimum subscriptions set at $250,000 or BTC-equivalent.Why It Matters: BDYF tackles Bitcoin’s lack of native yield, signalling growing institutional demand for regulated, tokenized products that blend crypto returns with traditional asset management discipline.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This roundup is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.&nbsp;If you want to read more market analyses like this one, visit <a href="https://defi-planet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DeFi Planet</a> and follow us on<a href="https://twitter.com/PlanetDefi" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Twitter</a>,<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/defi-planet/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">LinkedIn</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeFi-Planet-129907662611402" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Facebook</a>,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/defi.planet/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Instagram</a>, and<a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/community/profile/DeFiPlanet/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> CoinMarketCap Community</a>.The post <a href="https://defi-planet.com/2026/01/your-weekend-crypto-roundup-january-2026-week-4/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | January 2026 (Week 4)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://defi-planet.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DeFi Planet</a>.

Your Weekend Crypto Roundup | January 2026 (Week 4)

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