Daily Brief: January 19, 2026

TL;DR: This week, crypto markets showed resilience with Bitcoin and Ethereum holding steady. Regulatory developments and institutional interest highlighted the ongoing tension between innovation and oversight.

Highlights

• Iran's $7.8B Crypto Boom Amid Crisis: Iran's significant crypto activity underscores Bitcoin's role in financial resistance during economic turmoil.
• Bitcoin ETFs Attract Institutional Inflows: Bitcoin ETFs are seeing increased investments, indicating renewed institutional interest and potential market stabilization.
• Ripple Secures Strategic EU License: Ripple's new EU license marks a regulatory milestone, enhancing its position in digital payments.
• CME Expands Futures with Cardano and More: CME Group's introduction of Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar futures signals growing institutional interest in diverse crypto assets.
• AI Scams Threaten Crypto Users: The rise in AI-driven scams poses new risks for crypto users, highlighting the need for increased security measures.
• US Crypto Regulation Faces Delays: The US Senate's delay on crypto legislation reflects ongoing debates and regulatory uncertainty.

Market Dynamics

• Bitcoin and Ethereum maintain stability despite market fluctuations.
• CME Group's new futures offerings include Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar.
• Whale accumulation suggests bullish trends for major cryptocurrencies.

Regulation and Policy

• The US Senate delays crypto legislation, highlighting regulatory challenges.
• Ripple's EU license marks progress in regulatory acceptance.
• South Korea lifts a crypto ban, allowing limited corporate investments.

Risks and Challenges

• AI-driven scams are on the rise, posing threats to crypto users.
• NYC Token's launch faces transparency issues, raising trust concerns.
• The probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell sparks debates on central bank independence.