Steven Walgenbach

Saylor’s Podcast Blowup Reignites the Bitcoin Treasury Debate

Michael Saylor is back in the spotlight — and this time, it’s for a fiery exchange that’s getting the crypto community talking.

On a recent episode of What Bitcoin Did, Saylor bristled at a question about whether the growing number of Bitcoin treasuries can realistically sustain a strategy that relies on issuing debt to buy BTC. He shot back, calling the premise “ignorant and offensive,” and doubled down on the idea that corporate Bitcoin adoption is not only rational, but inevitable.

The conversation comes at a delicate moment. Many treasury-style companies are struggling, with several trading at steep discounts and a few watching their stock prices tumble more than 90%. Yet Saylor maintains that companies — profitable or not — are better off holding Bitcoin and insists there’s massive room for growth.

Love him or disagree with him, Saylor has once again put the spotlight on one of the most controversial trends in corporate finance: the leveraged Bitcoin treasury trade. And judging by the reactions, this debate is far from over.
#Bitcoin #CryptoMarkets #Saylor

Ethereum’s 6% Rally Aligns With Vitalik’s Call for a “Decentralized Renaissance”

Ethereum surged more than 6% today, coinciding with Vitalik Buterin’s renewed push to bring the original 2014 web3 vision back into focus. In a widely shared post, Buterin emphasized that Ethereum’s core components — proof-of-stake consensus, scalable ZK-EVM rollups, decentralized messaging layers like Waku, and improved decentralized storage — have matured enough to reignite the dream of a permissionless, user-owned internet.

The market responded with conviction. ETH broke sharply higher, climbing above key moving averages and pressing into a heavy resistance cluster that has capped upside attempts in recent weeks. Analysts note that short-term momentum has flipped decisively in favor of buyers, supported by rising trend indicators and strong bid-side liquidity on major exchanges. Order-book data shows sizable demand stacked beneath current price levels, while overhead ask walls are thin enough that a clean breakout could accelerate quickly.

Traders are now watching whether Ethereum can clear the $3338–$3371 resistance pocket — a move that would signal a broader continuation rally and potentially set up a path toward higher macro levels. For now, the combination of renewed narrative strength and improving technical structure has placed Ethereum back in the spotlight as one of the market’s most active momentum plays.

#Ethereum #CryptoMarket #ETHUSD $ETH

Prediction Markets Hit $701M in a Day as Regulators Tighten Their Grip

Prediction markets are entering 2026 at full speed. New data shows the sector shattered a fresh daily trading record on Monday, reaching $701.7 million in volume even as US regulators intensify efforts to restrict political, sports, and financial event markets.

Kalshi led with $465.9 million — nearly two-thirds of all activity — while Polymarket and Opinion added another $100 million, underscoring the explosive growth of a sector that has become one of crypto’s strongest use cases.

The surge comes just weeks after a controversial high-payout bet on Venezuela’s political upheaval raised concerns about insider knowledge, placing the industry back under the regulatory spotlight. Multiple US states, including New York and Nevada, are now reviewing or enforcing bans on certain markets, while a Tennessee federal judge temporarily halted state action against Kalshi this week.

The regulatory pressure is global: Ukraine recently blocked access to Polymarket, classifying prediction markets as gambling. Yet interest continues to rise, with major exchanges and self-custody wallets preparing integrations that could push adoption even further.

#CryptoNews #PredictionMarkets #Web3

Monero’s 8% Rally Sets Up a Major Technical Turning Point

Monero surged 8% in the past 24 hours, giving traders a strong burst of optimism after weeks of selling pressure. The rebound marks one of XMR’s most decisive moves of the month, but the daily chart shows the asset now pressing into a crucial resistance zone that has repeatedly capped upside attempts.

Despite the impressive short-term momentum, broader trend signals remain mixed. XMR continues to trade beneath its declining daily EMAs, and momentum indicators still lean bearish, suggesting that the market has not fully confirmed a reversal.

Analysts note that while the latest spike is encouraging, Monero must break through its immediate resistance levels to shift the medium-term structure.

Order book flows also point to a pivotal moment, with fresh buy-side interest entering the market while large sell walls remain stacked above current price levels. Traders are watching this interaction closely, as a decisive break could unlock a much larger move, while a rejection may push XMR back toward its recent support range.

As the market gains volatility, all eyes are on whether Monero can convert this short-term rally into sustained bullish momentum — or whether this bounce becomes another test of resistance in a still-fragile trend.
#Monero $XMR #CryptoAnalysis

Senators Clash Over 75+ Amendments in High-Stakes Crypto Bill Showdown

U.S. lawmakers have submitted more than 75 amendments to the Senate’s landmark crypto market structure bill, setting the stage for one of the most consequential and contentious markups in recent digital asset policy history. The proposals reflect deep divisions across both parties, with senators targeting everything from stablecoin yield restrictions and risk disclosures to anti-corruption measures tied to public officials’ financial interests.

Several amendments focus on redefining or limiting stablecoin rewards, while others seek to add new ethics rules amid ongoing scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s ties to the crypto industry. Additional proposals raise concerns about the SEC and CFTC being run solely by Republican commissioners, despite bipartisan requirements under federal law.

With negotiations still in flux and ethics provisions emerging as a major sticking point, the Senate Banking Committee’s hearing later this week is shaping up to be a critical moment for the future of U.S. crypto regulation. Whether lawmakers can reach meaningful compromise — or expose even deeper divides — will determine the bill’s path forward.

#CryptoRegulation #DigitalAssets #USPolitics

When Does Bitcoin Go Parabolic? Bitwise CIO Says History Already Gave Us the Answer

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan is drawing a bold parallel between gold’s explosive 2025 rally and what may be brewing inside the Bitcoin market. In a new post, he argues that Bitcoin could enter a parabolic phase if ETF-driven demand continues to outpace new supply — echoing the exact dynamic that drove gold’s 65% surge last year.

Hougan points out that gold’s run didn’t happen overnight. Central bank buying doubled in 2022 after the U.S. seized Russia’s Treasury reserves, but gold barely moved that year. It climbed slowly in 2023 and 2024 because early demand was absorbed by existing holders willing to sell.

But by 2025, sellers “ran out of ammo,” and persistent demand finally overwhelmed supply — sending gold vertical.

He believes Bitcoin is following the same script. Since spot ETFs launched in January 2024, they’ve been absorbing more than 100% of Bitcoin’s new issuance. Prices haven’t gone parabolic yet because long-time holders are still selling into strength. Hougan’s view: once that pool of sellers dries up, Bitcoin could face the same kind of explosive repricing gold saw last year.

#Bitcoin #ETFs #CryptoMarkets #Gold $BTC

ETFs Are on a Tear — and Eric Balchunas Says Tokenization Won’t Slow Them Down

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted a remarkable milestone in the fund industry: the number of new ETF issuers has hit a fresh record for the third straight year. He noted that strong inflows are creating a self-reinforcing loop — more flows attract more issuers, more issuers drive more innovation, and innovation pulls in even more flows.

But Balchunas didn’t stop there. In a follow-up comment, he pushed back against the idea that blockchain tokenization is poised to disrupt this ETF momentum any time soon. While not dismissing tokenization entirely, he argued that it’s far more likely to remain a niche use case or serve as behind-the-scenes infrastructure rather than dethrone ETFs — a juggernaut he believes is only accelerating.

#ETFs #Tokenization #BlockchainTech

Institutions Are Quietly Taking Over Crypto

A new Binance Research report suggests the digital asset market is entering a pivotal transition—from a retail-driven ecosystem to one increasingly shaped by institutional capital, sovereign accumulation, and long-term strategic positioning. According to the analysis, this “structural pivot” is already underway, reflecting shifts in how major financial players approach Bitcoin and digital assets.

One of the clearest signals came from Morgan Stanley’s recent S-1 filings for both Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, a move that positions the bank not just as a distributor, but as a creator of crypto investment products. This early push could pressure rivals like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan to accelerate their own digital asset strategies to avoid being left behind.

Binance Research also highlighted a key development around digital asset treasury companies, which narrowly avoided a potential $10 billion wave of forced selling after MSCI decided not to exclude them from its index. The decision eased fears of a structural liquidity shock for firms holding large crypto reserves.

On the macro front, the report points to tightening concentration risk in U.S. equities—especially the dominance of mega-cap tech stocks—as a potential catalyst for investors to diversify into digital assets. With traditional portfolios seeking new sources of uncorrelated growth, crypto could benefit from incremental institutional rotation throughout 2026.

Together, these forces paint a picture of a maturing market where long-term allocators, not short-term traders, increasingly set the tone.

#CryptoMarkets #InstitutionalAdoption #Bitcoin $BTC

Trump’s Crypto Strategy Sparks Backlash from Cardano Founder

Charles Hoskinson has delivered a sharp assessment of the Trump administration’s impact on the U.S. crypto landscape, arguing that the sector is now in a weaker and more politically volatile position than it was under President Biden. In a wide-ranging interview, the Cardano founder criticized the decision to launch Trump Coin ahead of the 2025 inauguration, calling it an “extractive” move that triggered a memecoin frenzy, widespread retail losses, and a collapse in bipartisan support for key bills like the Clarity Act and GENIUS Act.

Hoskinson said the rollout of Trump’s and Melania Trump’s tokens created a perception that crypto was being used for political enrichment, turning it into a partisan issue and alienating lawmakers who had previously supported a unified regulatory framework. He also described the administration’s internal process as chaotic and uncoordinated, citing withdrawn White House invitations, abrupt policy shifts, and unclear communication around which assets were part of the administration’s crypto “reserve.”

While some industry figures argue the legislative delays may be a natural result of the post-Chevron environment, Hoskinson maintains that Trump’s approach has “weaponized” the industry and squandered a critical window for progress. He warned that meaningful regulatory clarity may not arrive until 2029, leaving the sector in a prolonged holding pattern as political tensions deepen.

#CryptoRegulation #TRUMP #memecoins $ADA $TRUMP

Federal Judge Hits Pause on Tennessee’s Kalshi Crackdown

A significant development in the fast-evolving prediction market landscape: a federal judge has temporarily blocked Tennessee regulators from enforcing their cease-and-desist order against Kalshi. The ruling arrives just days after the state attempted one of the most aggressive crackdowns yet, ordering Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com to halt sports event contracts, void open positions, and refund users.

Judge Aleta Trauger issued a temporary restraining order that prevents Tennessee from applying its gambling and sports betting statutes while the case proceeds. The court noted that Kalshi is likely to succeed on the merits of its argument that, as a CFTC-regulated designated contract market, it falls under exclusive federal oversight.

This pause gives Kalshi room to continue operating in the state while a broader legal battle plays out — one that could help define whether sports-based event contracts are federally protected derivatives or unlicensed gambling subject to state control. With conflicting rulings emerging nationwide, the Tennessee case is shaping up to be another pivotal moment for the industry.

#Kalshi #Regulation #DigitalAssets

CFTC’s New Chairman Brings Crypto Heavyweights to the Table

Mike Selig hasn’t wasted any time in his new role as CFTC chair. Just weeks into the job, he’s rebuilt the agency’s Innovation Advisory Committee — and the first names on the roster are some of the biggest in crypto and market infrastructure.

Executives from several crypto companies are joining forces with leaders from Nasdaq, CME Group, ICE, and Cboe to help shape how the U.S. approaches digital asset oversight. It’s one of the strongest signals yet that the CFTC is preparing to take a far more proactive role in setting the rules for crypto, AI-driven finance, and next-generation market systems.

With the public invited to submit more nominees through January, this committee is shaping up to be a major driver of how the regulatory landscape evolves in 2026 and beyond.

#CFTC #CryptoRegulation #FintechInnovation

Trump-Linked DeFi Firm Enters the Crypto Lending Race

World Liberty Financial just took a significant step deeper into digital asset finance with the launch of World Liberty Markets, a new onchain platform that lets users borrow and lend crypto using transparent, smart contract–based infrastructure. The marketplace is built around the company’s rapidly growing USD1 stablecoin — now above a $3.4B market cap — and supports collateral like ETH, tokenized BTC, USDC, and USDT.

The move comes at a moment when demand for crypto credit is rising again, thanks to clearer regulations and a shift away from the opaque, centralized models that collapsed in previous cycles. By focusing on onchain collateral and automated risk controls, the platform aims to offer a more resilient alternative to traditional crypto lenders.

World Liberty Financial is also exploring partnerships across prediction markets, crypto exchanges, and real estate tokenization, with plans to add tokenized RWAs as collateral. Combined with its application for a national trust bank charter, the company is clearly gearing up for a much bigger role in the next generation of onchain financial infrastructure.

#DigitalAssets #DeFi #Stablecoins $WLFI

Strategy Makes Its Biggest Bitcoin Buy Since July

Strategy has kicked off the year with a major statement, announcing the purchase of 13,627 BTC for roughly $1.25 billion — its largest Bitcoin acquisition since July. The move pushes the company’s total holdings to an incredible 687,410 BTC, accumulated at a cost basis of about $51.8 billion.

The timing is notable: Strategy’s share price had dropped more than 5% during the latest trading session before inching slightly higher once the news broke. Investors appear to be weighing the short-term volatility against the long-term conviction Michael Saylor continues to show in Bitcoin as a treasury strategy.

It’s another bold milestone for a company that has transformed itself into the world’s largest corporate holder of BTC — and 2026 is already off to a dramatic start.

#Bitcoin #CryptoNews #Strategy $BTC #MSTR

Elon Musk and Samson Mow Could Be Bitcoin’s Plot Twist of 2026

Samson Mow is starting the year with some serious heat — and his latest prediction has everyone talking. He says Elon Musk will “go hard” into Bitcoin in 2026 and that BTC could rocket to $1.33 million as nation-state adoption kicks into high gear.

It’s a stark contrast to the cautious tone from other industry leaders, but Mow isn’t looking back at missed forecasts. He’s doubling down and looking forward — and his calls on Musk, Bitcoin bonds, and even MSTR hitting $5,000 are already stirring debate across the crypto world.

If Musk makes a major move next year, it could shift the entire market narrative. 2026 might be more explosive than anyone expects.

#Bitcoin #CryptoMarkets #ElonMusk $BTC

Over 11 Million Memecoins Vanish: Inside the Biggest Collapse in Crypto History

A new CoinGecko analysis is sparking conversation across the industry. It turns out 2025 saw more than 11.6 million memecoins collapse, largely due to extreme volatility and an overwhelming wave of quick-launch, low-effort tokens flooding the market. The October liquidation cascade only accelerated the wipeout.

What’s interesting, though, is that the sector isn’t staying down for long. Early 2026 data shows memecoin market caps and trading volumes bouncing back, suggesting that risk appetite in this corner of crypto remains as strong as ever.

It’s a reminder of just how fast the memecoin landscape can shift—and how quickly sentiment can flip from frenzy to fallout and back again.
#Memecoins #CryptoMarket #TokenFailures

BREAKING!!!

Standard Chartered is quietly gearing up for another big move in the digital-asset space — and it’s one that could reshape how institutions trade crypto. The bank is exploring a new crypto prime brokerage under its SC Ventures arm, a sign of just how fast traditional finance is adapting to growing institutional demand.

What makes this interesting is the timing. JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and other major U.S. banks are also expanding their crypto offerings, while spot ETFs have surged past $140B in assets. The infrastructure that institutions rely on in traditional markets — financing, custody, market access — is now being rebuilt for crypto, and Standard Chartered seems determined to get ahead of the curve.

If these plans move forward, the bank could become one of the first major global institutions to run a full-scale crypto prime brokerage, all while navigating Basel III rules and the evolving regulatory landscape. The race to serve institutional crypto flows is clearly accelerating — and Standard Chartered is signaling it plans to be right in the middle of it.

Standard Chartered Quietly Builds a Crypto Prime Brokerage as Wall Street Heats Up

#DigitalAssets #InstitutionalCrypto #Fintech

Gold Shoots Past $4,600, Silver Smashes Records — Schiff Says Trouble Is Coming

Gold and silver just surged to new all-time highs, even as major cryptocurrencies slipped into negative territory — a sharp divergence that’s catching the market’s attention.

Peter Schiff weighed in, warning that the metals’ “melt-up” isn’t a sign of strength but a signal that investors are bracing for deeper economic trouble. With geopolitical tensions, questions around central bank stability, and broader risk-off sentiment all intensifying, the move into bullion is starting to look more like a defensive retreat than a speculative rally.

The big question now: are gold and silver flashing early warning signs that markets can’t ignore?

#Gold #Silver #Markets

Vitalik Buterin Challenges the Future of Decentralized Stablecoins

Vitalik Buterin’s latest deep dive has sparked another round of reflection across the crypto industry. In a new post, he breaks down why decentralized stablecoins — despite years of experimentation — still haven’t solved their most fundamental design challenges.

He points out that most models remain overly dependent on the U.S. dollar, which undermines the long-term resilience decentralized systems are supposed to deliver. He also highlights ongoing oracle vulnerabilities, arguing that if a price feed can be manipulated, the entire stablecoin becomes fragile by design.

But the most interesting tension he raises involves staking yield. Many decentralized stablecoins today rely on staked ETH as collateral, but that introduces hidden incentive conflicts and exposes users to slashing risks that are widely misunderstood. According to Buterin, these trade-offs make it difficult for current systems to deliver both stability and true decentralization at scale.

His post doesn’t attempt to introduce a new stablecoin model, but it does challenge builders to think more deeply about collateral, governance, data integrity and long-term economic alignment. For an industry that wants censorship-resistant, durable alternatives to traditional money, Buterin’s message is clear: there’s real progress, but the hardest problems still haven’t been cracked.

#Ethereum #Stablecoins #DeFi

JPMorgan Isn’t Panicking Over Stablecoins — And That Says a Lot

As community banks warn Washington that stablecoin yields could trigger a massive drain on deposits, JPMorgan is taking a very different view. Instead of sounding the alarm, the bank is reminding everyone that the financial system has always had multiple layers of money — and stablecoins are simply another one.

A JPMorgan spokesperson says deposit tokens, stablecoins, and existing payment rails will all serve “different, but complementary” purposes. It’s a striking contrast as smaller lenders push senators to tighten the rules around stablecoin incentives.
#Stablecoins #JPMorgan #CryptoRegulation

X’s Smart Cashtags Launch Comes as Crypto Users Demand Clarity and Transparency

X is making a big push to clean up and improve crypto conversations with a new feature called Smart Cashtags — but it comes at a moment when the platform is under more pressure than ever.

Crypto users have been calling out declining reach, a wave of bot-driven spam, and inconsistent visibility across the platform. At the same time, X is facing fresh scrutiny from EU regulators, prompting Elon Musk to promise that the platform’s entire recommendation algorithm will be open-sourced and updated publicly every four weeks.

Smart Cashtags could bring some much-needed clarity by letting users tag the exact asset or smart contract they’re talking about, with instant access to prices and related discussions. But with bot activity spiking and users frustrated with engagement drops, many are wondering whether this new feature can address the deeper issues.

It’s a defining moment for X’s relationship with the crypto world — and the reaction so far shows just how much is riding on these changes.

#CryptoNews #ElonMusk #XPlatform #SmartCashtags