Daily Crypto Briefing – January 23, 2026

Crypto markets face continued pressure as Bitcoin struggles to hold $90,000, while institutional adoption reaches new milestones and regulatory clarity advances across multiple jurisdictions.

Regulation

Binance Files for MiCA License in Greece

Binance has submitted its application for MiCA compliance in Greece ahead of the July 1 EU deadline. The exchange's application is reportedly being fast-tracked after establishing a holding company in Greece in December.

Kansas Proposes Bitcoin Reserve Fund

Kansas lawmakers have introduced legislation to establish a state-managed Bitcoin and digital assets reserve fund using unclaimed property. The proposal could set a precedent for other states in crypto asset management policies.

Thailand SEC Prepares Spot Crypto ETFs

Thailand's securities regulator is preparing to launch spot cryptocurrency ETFs with a new market-making system designed to ensure liquidity and stability.

SEC and CFTC Announce Joint Crypto Event

Both agencies will hold a January 27 event to discuss regulatory harmonization, marking continued coordination between SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig.

Markets

Bitcoin ETF Outflows Signal Potential Bottom

CoinDesk reports that this week's Bitcoin ETF redemptions reached the highest level since November, a signal that often marks a local bottom in Bitcoin's price.

Ledger Eyes $4 Billion US IPO

The hardware wallet manufacturer is working with Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, and Barclays for a potential New York listing that could triple its 2023 valuation.

UBS Considers Bitcoin and Ethereum for Select Clients

Bloomberg reports that UBS is planning to make crypto trading available to select private banking clients, marking another major bank's entry into digital assets.

Dogecoin ETF Launches on Nasdaq

21Shares' DOGE ETF, backed by the Dogecoin Foundation, has begun trading as the first U.S. spot Dogecoin ETF to receive SEC approval.

Technology

Chainlink Acquires Atlas for DeFi Expansion

Chainlink's acquisition of Atlas will enhance its SVR protocol, enabling scaling across multiple blockchains and boosting MEV recapture for DeFi protocols.

Ethereum Outpaces Layer-2 Networks in Daily Active Addresses

CoinDesk notes that Ethereum's daily active addresses climbed above major layer-2 networks in January as lower fees revived on-chain activity.

PayPal Acquires Cymbio for AI Commerce Tools

PayPal's purchase of Cymbio will enhance its chatbot commerce capabilities, advancing AI-driven merchant services for automated retail interactions.

DeFi

Base Overtakes Ethereum in DEX Volumes

The Defiant reports that Base has surpassed Ethereum and BNB Chain in DEX volumes for the first time, driven by accelerated activity on Base deployments of Uniswap and Aerodrome.

Coinbase Enables $1M Borrowing Against Staked ETH

The new feature allows U.S. users to borrow USDC against cbETH while maintaining their staked ETH exposure.

Insider Wallet Faces Liquidation Risk

CryptoSlate identifies a single wallet on Hyperliquid holding a $649.6 million long position in Ethereum that faces liquidation risk if ETH continues declining.

Quick Hits

Capital One acquires fintech Brex for $5.15 billion, bringing stablecoin capabilities to major U.S. bank
Revolut drops U.S. bank merger plans to seek standalone banking license under Trump administration
Farcaster returns $180 million to venture backers while maintaining protocol operations
South Korea investigates significant Bitcoin loss in suspected phishing attack during official custody
Caroline Ellison released from federal custody after 14 months, subject to long-term bans
Gold approaches $5,000 while silver nears $100 as precious metals rally continues
Trump sues JPMorgan for $5 billion over alleged debanking practices
BitGo shares surge 36% then retrace in volatile NYSE debut
World Liberty Financial partners with Spacecoin on satellite DeFi initiative
Russian ruble stablecoin A7A5 surpasses $100 billion in transactions