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The privacy-focused cryptocurrency Monero (XMR) has surpassed $650, reaching an all-time high for the first time in eight years after surging more than 40% over the past week. Crypto media outlet BeInCrypto explained that Monero, operated by a decentralized community (DAO), lacks the regular selling pressure from token unlocks. The outlet added that demand for privacy has surged following the implementation of the European Union's crypto tax transparency directive, DAC8, this year. Ryan McMillin, CIO of Merkle Tree Capital, noted that rotational funds have flowed into the privacy sector amid broader market uncertainty. However, he cautioned that Monero and many other privacy coins are not listed on regulated centralized exchanges, leaving them vulnerable to price manipulation. Veteran trader Peter Brandt commented that Monero's current technical movement is very similar to silver's past breakout pattern, suggesting it may have entered a price discovery phase. According to CoinMarketCap, XMR is trading at $656.91, up 15.95% over the last 24 hours.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao stated on X that while he is not against memecoins, he opposes their indiscriminate issuance and investment. He said that although he likes memecoins, investors would certainly incur losses if they were to invest in every memecoin created in response to his posts. Zhao emphasized that he does not think about memes and that his tweets are simply his usual unfunny jokes.

OKX has announced the listing of the FOGO/USDT spot trading pair, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. UTC on Jan. 15. Following the listing, FOGO pre-market futures will be converted into standard perpetual futures within three hours.

The following are the BTC perpetual futures long-short position ratios over the past 24 hours on the world's top three crypto futures exchanges by open interest: Overall: 49.49% long / 50.51% short. Binance: 49.75% long / 50.25% short. OKX: 48.25% long / 51.75% short. Bybit: 50.32% long / 49.68% short.

Global asset manager VanEck predicts a potential risk-on environment for assets in the first quarter of this year but maintains a cautious outlook for Bitcoin, citing the breakdown of its four-year cycle theory, Cointelegraph reported. In a report released on Jan. 13, VanEck stated that a positive investment environment has been created as U.S. fiscal and monetary policies have become clearer. However, the firm noted that the short-term forecast for BTC is complicated by several factors, including record-breaking forced liquidations in October of last year, a deteriorating correlation with stocks and gold, and the aforementioned cycle theory collapse. VanEck advised that a cautious approach is warranted for the next three to six months.

Arguments against including Bitcoin in 401(k) retirement plans due to its volatility are unfair, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan in an interview with Investopedia. His comments follow an executive order signed by the Trump administration allowing pension and retirement funds to hold cryptocurrencies, a move that U.S. Senator and crypto opponent Elizabeth Warren warned would create risks for investors. Hougan countered that BTC's volatility over the past year has been lower than that of NVIDIA (NVDA), adding that it is unreasonable to apply a stricter standard to a single asset class. He emphasized that cryptocurrencies will eventually be normalized within the institutional framework, just like other assets.

The NYC token, a cryptocurrency endorsed by former New York Mayor Eric Adams, plummeted 80% immediately after its launch, Crypto Briefing reported. The token's market capitalization surged to $730 million shortly after its debut but collapsed to around $90 million within one hour. It is currently trading at a level of approximately $110 million. Adams had previously promoted NYC as a commemorative asset, stating that proceeds would be used for initiatives like education. The project has faced criticism for a lack of transparency, with its website missing key information such as a white paper and a list of partners. Additionally, on-chain analysis platform Bubble Maps has raised suspicions of liquidity manipulation, citing abnormal activity from NYC-related addresses.

A draft bill from the U.S. Senate Banking Committee could make it difficult to earn interest for simply holding stablecoins, according to Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto in America. A provision in the proposed crypto market structure bill (CLARITY Act) would only permit interest or rewards on stablecoins when linked to substantive activities such as opening an account, trading, staking, or providing liquidity. Terrett noted that senators have a 48-hour window to submit amendments, and it remains uncertain whether the provision will be retained in the bill by Jan. 15.

According to CoinNess market monitoring, BTC has risen above $92,000. BTC is trading at $92,050.52 on the Binance USDT market.

While Story (IP) has recently rallied past the $3 mark, its on-chain indicators are flashing warning signs, BeInCrypto reported. The token's daily trading volume has surpassed $300 million, according to CoinGecko, with the South Korean exchange Upbit accounting for over 47% of the total, leading the surge. However, the publication noted that despite the price increase, the number of active accounts on the Story network has plummeted from around 10,000 last year to fewer than 500. Additionally, the number of new daily users is below 100. Many experts reportedly believe the rally is fueled by speculative demand from the South Korean market rather than fundamental improvements.

The full text of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee's Crypto-Asset Market Structure (CLARITY) Act has been released, according to Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto in America. The 278-page bill follows a previously leaked draft that excluded provisions on stablecoin revenue in favor of two ethics regulations under the committee's jurisdiction.

The United States is considering legislation that would regulate cryptocurrencies included in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) similarly to BTC and ETH, according to a report from Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto in America. The bill proposes that if a cryptocurrency is part of an ETF listed on a national securities exchange and registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act, it would be exempt from disclosure obligations. Under this framework, assets including XRP, SOL, LTC, HBAR, DOGE, and LINK would be subject to the same regulations as BTC and ETH from the day the law is enacted.

U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a net inflow of $5.27 million on Jan. 12, marking the first day of net inflows in four trading days, according to data from TraderT. The breakdown of flows is as follows: - BlackRock (ETHA): -$79.65 million - 21Shares (CETH): +$4.97 million - Grayscale (ETHE): +$50.67 million - Grayscale Mini ETH: +$29.28 million

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a total net inflow of $116.89 million on Jan. 12, marking a return to positive flows after five consecutive trading days of net outflows, according to data compiled by TraderT. Among the funds, Fidelity's FBTC led with an inflow of $111.75 million, while Grayscale's GBTC and Mini BTC funds saw inflows of $64.25 million and $4.85 million, respectively. VanEck's HODL added $6.48 million. In contrast, BlackRock's IBIT experienced a net outflow of $70.44 million.

An unfinished draft of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee's crypto market structure bill, the CLARITY Act, has been leaked ahead of its official release, reported Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto in America, on X. The leaked draft excludes a provision related to stablecoin revenue and instead includes two ethics regulations under the committee's jurisdiction. Terrett explained that provisions concerning felonies and insider trading are notable and that the text appears to reflect a compromise between the DeFi and traditional finance industries. This is reflected in Section 601, which addresses protections for software developers. According to industry sources cited by Terrett, an agreement was reached this week following a closed-door meeting last week.

The U.S. Democratic Party has launched BlueVault, a new platform to accept cryptocurrency donations ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Decrypt reported. The infrastructure will allow Democratic political committees to receive contributions in Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoins. The initiative's primary focus is on attracting small-dollar crypto donors rather than promoting a comprehensive pro-crypto policy platform. This move is part of a strategic review within the party aimed at increasing engagement with crypto-focused voters and donors, following concerns about losing their support after the 2024 presidential election, the report added.

Binance announced on its official website that it will delist 14 cross margin and 24 isolated margin trading pairs at 6:00 a.m. UTC on Jan. 15. The affected cross margin pairs are AUDIO/BTC, SUSHI/BTC, MTL/BTC, IOTX/ETH, SLP/ETH, TRB/BTC, PYR/BTC, EGLD/BTC, ENS/BTC, APE/BTC, NEO/BTC, NMR/BTC, SHIB/DOGE, and MINA/BTC. The isolated margin pairs to be removed are AUDIO/BTC, CTSI/BTC, SUSHI/BTC, ATOM/ETH, MTL/BTC, WAN/BTC, MOVR/BTC, IOTX/ETH, OXT/BTC, SLP/ETH, TRB/BTC, PYR/BTC, STORJ/BTC, EGLD/BTC, YFI/BTC, ENS/BTC, FLUX/BTC, AUCTION/BTC, APE/BTC, REQ/BTC, NEO/BTC, NMR/BTC, SHIB/DOGE, and MINA/BTC.

A U.S. federal court in Tennessee has ordered the state to temporarily withdraw a cease-and-desist order against prediction market operator Kalshi. The court found there is a legitimate legal dispute over whether Kalshi, as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is subject to state gambling laws, CoinDesk reported. Consequently, Kalshi will be allowed to continue its operations in Tennessee until the court reaches a final judgment on whether its sports-based event contracts are derivatives protected under federal law. Tennessee regulators had previously ordered the platform to halt its operations, arguing that its sports event contracts amounted to illegal gambling.

The Nigerian government is planning to bring anonymous cryptocurrency transactions into its formal economic system under a new tax administration law, according to a report by TechCabal. The proposal would require local Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to submit monthly reports to tax authorities, detailing transaction types, dates, volumes, and customer information. This initiative is part of Nigeria's broader goal to increase its tax-to-GDP ratio from under 10% to 18% by 2027, with the government viewing the crypto market as a key potential source of revenue.

The following shows estimated liquidation volumes and position ratios for major crypto perpetual futures over the past 24 hours: - BTC: $61.87 million liquidated (62.27% longs) - ETH: $40.92 million liquidated (73.78% longs) - SOL: $15.58 million liquidated (55.5% longs)

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee plans to submit the final version of a bipartisan crypto market structure bill, the CLARITY Act, before midnight on Jan. 13, Eleanor Terrett, host of the program Crypto in America, reported on X. She added that, according to a Senate source, a provision related to stablecoin revenue has been identified as the main sticking point.

KRAKacquisition, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by an affiliate of crypto exchange Kraken, is seeking to list on Nasdaq, The Block reported. The company has filed an S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an initial public offering. It aims to raise $250 million and, if approved, will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker KRAQU. KRAKacquisition has not yet identified a specific merger target. The move comes as Kraken itself has previously stated it is pursuing an IPO with a target of listing this year.

An address linked to Aleksey Bilyuchenko, who was indicted in connection with the Mt. Gox hack, has deposited 926 BTC, worth $83.92 million, to an anonymous exchange over the past 15 hours, on-chain analyst Emmett Gallic reported on X. The address currently holds 3,000 BTC, valued at $275 million.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Matt Hougan stated on X that the proposed market structure legislation, the CLARITY Act, is akin to Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog known for predicting the length of winter. He explained that if the bill is reconsidered by Congress but ultimately fails to pass, the crypto winter could persist. Conversely, Hougan suggested that if the bill is enacted into law, the market could advance toward all-time highs.

The Thai government has ordered its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to strictly enforce the crypto travel rule to block gray money, defined as funds from unclear sources, according to local media outlet The Nation Thailand. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has unveiled a new enforcement roadmap to strengthen cryptocurrency regulations. The initiative includes the establishment of a new Data Bureau tasked with integrating national financial data to prevent money laundering.