🚫 Hong Kong's Regulatory Developments for Virtual-Asset Service Providers

‼️ On December 24, 2025, Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced the conclusion of consultations regarding legislative proposals for virtual-asset (VA) dealer and custodian regimes. They will proceed with the related licensing frameworks and have initiated a new consultation on proposed regimes for VA advisory and management service providers, emphasizing the principle of "same business, same risks, same rules."

🔗 The dealer regime will align with Type 1 securities-dealing rules, while the custodian regime will focus on protecting private keys and client assets. Regulators are encouraging interested parties to engage in pre-application discussions to prepare for the upcoming licensing requirements. This initiative aims to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a trusted hub for digital-asset innovation.

🪙 Bitcoin's Price Analysis: December 27, 2025

📉 As of December 27, 2025, Bitcoin's price stands at $87,382 with a market cap of $1.74 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $30.6 billion. The cryptocurrency has been trading within a narrow range of $86,673 to $88,965, indicating a potential upcoming breakout.

📊 On the daily chart, Bitcoin shows a descending structure characterized by lower highs and lower lows, suggesting bearish sentiment. After peaking near $94,652, the price has gradually declined to the current $87,000–$88,000 zone. However, the decreasing volume indicates reduced buying pressure, which often precedes significant price movements. Traders should watch for a reclaim of the $90,000 level with increased volume before confirming a bullish reversal.

🔍 The 4-hour chart reveals a more pessimistic outlook. A strong rejection at $90,536 was accompanied by a series of red candles, indicating that sellers are currently dominant. Support at $86,363 has held so far, but consolidation below resistance suggests that bearish pressure remains. Upswings are met with lighter volume, while sell-offs are more pronounced, indicating a sideways market masked by bearish sentiment.

🚫 On the 1-hour chart, recent price action has been indecisive following a sharp drop from around $89,400 to $86,500. The current tight range between $87,000 and $87,500 and the low volume could signify a textbook accumulation zone preparing for a breakout above $88,000 or a bear flag setup anticipating another leg down if $86,000 fails.

⚖️ Oscillator indicators show a neutral stance, with the relative strength index (RSI), Stochastic, and others indicating ambiguity. Only the momentum and moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicators show slight upward movement.

💰 Binance CEO Richard Teng: Bitcoin Outshines Silver and Gold as a Long-Term Store of Value

📈 Binance CEO Richard Teng recently emphasized bitcoin's growing purchasing power and its potential as the future financial infrastructure, positioning it ahead of traditional metals like silver and gold. In a post on social media platform X, he stated,

Silver’s having a moment – EVs, AI chips, solar panels driving demand. Classic hedge against uncertainty and losing purchasing power. But here’s the thing: Bitcoin is the infrastructure of tomorrow’s financial system.

📊 The post included a chart illustrating the amount of gold and silver one bitcoin could buy from 2010 to 2025. This visual highlighted periods where bitcoin's strength increased significantly, particularly during times of rising institutional interest and monetary easing. By comparing precious metals with bitcoin, Teng framed the digital asset as a benchmark for value rather than a speculative option.

⚡️ The comparison also acknowledged silver's renewed importance due to its industrial applications in electrification and renewable energy. However, it pointed out that silver demand has been influenced more by structural factors like electric vehicles and solar installations than by monetary considerations. In contrast, gold appeared more stable but slower to change, reinforcing its role as a conservative store of value.

🔄 Bitcoin, on the other hand, showed sharper cycles and dramatic changes in purchasing power over time. Teng positioned bitcoin as financial infrastructure rather than a mere commodity, aligning with industry narratives that highlight its programmability and fixed supply. While metals remain important for diversification, digital assets offer advantages like portability and transparency that appeal to a digitally native economy.

📈 Despite these differences, Teng suggested that both asset classes could coexist as complementary hedges rather than direct substitutes. He noted that while metals provide physical utility and long-standing trust, bitcoin adoption continues to grow through various channels, indicating a potential for both to play important roles in the financial landscape.

📊 Bitcoin's Current Market Position: A Balancing Act

📉 Bitcoin is currently priced at $89,907 with a market cap of $1.79 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $45.09 billion. Despite an intraday range between $88,532 and $90,788, the market appears to be in a consolidation phase rather than a breakout.

📈 On the 1-hour chart, Bitcoin's price action shows a struggle between the $88,500 support and the $91,000 resistance. There are brief spikes in volume when the price approaches the upper range, but these are often met with rejection. The intraday strategy suggests entering near the $88,800 to $89,200 range as long as it stays above $88,300, with exits recommended near $90,300 to $90,800 unless buyers show stronger momentum.

📈 Looking at the 4-hour chart, there is a sense of cautious optimism. Since the beginning of the year, Bitcoin has been making higher highs and higher lows. However, attempts to break through the $90,900 to $91,000 level have been unsuccessful, indicating that buyers may be conserving their resources for a future push. A drop below $87,500 would undermine this upward trend.

❗️ The daily chart shows that Bitcoin is not in a hurry to move. It is trading comfortably within a range of $84,000 to $95,000, above December's low of $83,800 but still far from reclaiming the $94,500 to $95,000 peak. Without a convincing daily close outside the $86,000 to $92,000 zone, this range-bound market is likely to continue.

⚖️ Technical indicators are mixed. The relative strength index (RSI) is neutral at 54, while the Stochastic oscillator is at 74. The commodity channel index (CCI) and momentum indicator lean bearish, but not overwhelmingly so. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) suggests potential for upside recovery, although moving averages show a split opinion with shorter-term averages supporting current price action while longer-term averages indicate pessimism.

🔍 In summary, Bitcoin is currently in a range-bound phase. A decisive break above $92,000 or below $87,000 is needed for clearer trading signals.

🐂 Bullish Scenario: If Bitcoin can reclaim levels above $92,000 with increased volume, the path towards the $94,500–$95,000 zone may reopen.

🐻 Bearish Scenario: Conversely, if Bitcoin falls below $87,000 convincingly, the range structure could unravel, with attention shifting towards the $84,000 level.

🔔 XRP's Surge Amid Geopolitical Tensions

📈 On January 6, 2026, XRP experienced a significant increase of 12.6%, reaching $2.41 before consolidating around $2.38. This rally marked a nearly 30% gain for the year-to-date and resulted in the liquidation of approximately $25 million in XRP short bets. The surge pushed XRP's market capitalization to $144 billion, solidifying its position as the fourth-largest digital asset, surpassing BNB.

🌍 The upward momentum was fueled by geopolitical events, particularly the January 3 military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. This created a climate of uncertainty that drove investors towards alternative assets like cryptocurrencies, especially as traditional financial markets were closed for the weekend.

📊 The volatility of XRP's price triggered a significant "short squeeze," with around $320 million in short positions liquidated across the broader crypto market within 24 hours. XRP's rise above $2.35 was technically important as it aligned with the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA), a level that had previously acted as a ceiling. By maintaining its position between $2.38 and $2.40, XRP aimed to convert this former resistance into a support level.

📌 Looking ahead, if XRP can close above $2.42 on a daily basis, analysts predict potential price targets in the $2.60–$2.70 range by February. There is speculation that a "Wyckoff Reaccumulation" model is in play, suggesting that if the final major resistance line, known as the "creek", is cleared, the psychological level of $3.00 could become attainable due to tightening institutional ETF inflows.

⚠️ However, if XRP fails to maintain the $2.35 zone and drops below $2.26, it could indicate a bearish retest of the moving averages, potentially reverting the asset to its previous consolidation range between $2.00 and $2.15. Despite the current bullish momentum, the relative strength index (RSI) is at 87, signaling overbought conditions. Historically, when the daily RSI exceeds 70, XRP tends to undergo a 5–10% "mean reversion" to allow for a reset of the indicator.

❗️ In summary, while XRP is experiencing a strong upward trend driven by geopolitical factors and market dynamics, traders should remain cautious of potential corrections due to overbought signals and the need for price stability above key support levels.

⚖️ South Korea's Supreme Court Rules on Seizure of Exchange-Held Bitcoin

📈 South Korea's Supreme Court has established a significant legal precedent regarding digital assets, ruling that bitcoin held in custodial accounts at cryptocurrency exchanges can be seized during criminal investigations. This decision affirms the status of virtual assets as enforceable property under criminal law.

⚠️ In its ruling, the Supreme Court referenced existing statutory definitions and previous case law to position virtual assets within the framework of criminal procedure. The court reiterated that

Bitcoin is subject to confiscation that can belong to the state.

It further clarified that

according to the Act on Protection of Virtual Asset Users, virtual assets are electronic tokens with economic value that can be traded or transferred electronically, and therefore bitcoin is also included as a subject of seizure by courts or investigative agencies.

🚫 This interpretation directly countered arguments from the re-appellant, who claimed that bitcoin in exchange accounts does not qualify as 'objects' subject to seizure under the Criminal Procedure Act. Lower courts had previously dismissed this argument, stating that

although virtual assets do not correspond to traditional tangible objects, they constitute 'objects deemed to be confiscated' under the Criminal Procedure Act as electronic tokens premised on electronic transactions or transfers, making the seizure disposition legal.

🔍 The Supreme Court supported this analysis, emphasizing that seizure targets are not limited to physical property and may include electronically managed assets with independent economic value and practical controllability.

📈 Grayscale Expands Institutional Crypto Exposure Amid Evolving Market

🔍 Grayscale, a prominent crypto asset manager, is broadening its institutional crypto exposure by evaluating a diverse range of digital tokens across various sectors. On January 12, 2026, the company released an updated overview of its current holdings and potential future inclusions.

As a leading crypto-focused asset manager, introducing investors to a diverse array of investible digital assets is an important part of our mission

the announcement stated.

💱 Grayscale's current product suite includes assets from multiple sectors, each serving a specific role within the digital asset ecosystem. The currencies category features assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP, which function as a medium of exchange or store of value. Smart contract platforms such as Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) support programmable transactions and decentralized applications. Financial-focused assets like Aave (AAVE) and Uniswap (UNI) provide exposure to decentralized lending and trading. Consumer-oriented assets include Dogecoin (DOGE) and Decentraland (MANA), while artificial intelligence-related assets feature Bittensor (TAO) and Render (RENDER). Utilities and services assets like Chainlink (LINK) and Filecoin (FIL) deliver foundational infrastructure for blockchain networks.

📊 In addition to its current holdings, Grayscale is considering a range of additional assets across various sectors. Potential smart contract platform assets include Aptos (APT), Arbitrum (ARB), and Binance Coin (BNB). Financial protocol candidates include Ethena (ENA), Euler (EUL), and Hyperliquid (HYPE). For consumer and culture assets, Grayscale is considering ARIA Protocol (ARIAIP) and Bonk (BONK). Artificial intelligence candidates include Flock (FLOCK) and Worldcoin (WLD), while utilities and services assets under consideration include DoubleZero (2Z) and Layer Zero (ZRO).

📌 KBC's Bolero Introduces Regulated Crypto Trading for Belgian Retail Investors

🗓 Starting the week of February 16, 2026, Belgian retail investors will be able to buy and sell cryptocurrencies through Bolero, KBC Group's online investment platform. This service will operate under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), making KBC the first Belgian bank to comply with these regulations. Investors will be able to trade bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) but must first pass a knowledge and experience test.

🔒 KBC and Bolero prioritize security by keeping custody within KBC’s infrastructure and implementing strict know-your-customer (KYC) and know-your-transaction (KYT) measures. External transfers are not permitted. Additionally, educational resources will be available through Bolero Academy. Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, stated,

we are making innovation concrete and accessible.

However, this service will only be available to Belgian retail customers who meet specific platform requirements and regulatory notifications.

🚫 Key FAQs:
- When can Belgian investors trade crypto on Bolero? Trading begins the week of February 16, 2026.
- Which cryptocurrencies will Bolero support at launch? Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH).
- How are customers’ crypto assets held in Belgium? Through KBC’s secure architecture under a closed-loop model.
- Do Belgian customers receive investment advice on Bolero? No, Bolero operates on an execution-only basis.

🚨 Just-In: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Announces Bitcoin and Crypto Mining Plans

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🪙 Bitcoin's Weekend Slide: A $650 Million Crypto Selloff

📉 On Sunday evening, Bitcoin fell below $95,000, losing about 3% and reaching an intraday low of $91,917 per coin. This decline occurred as gold and silver prices rose to new highs. By the time of reporting, Bitcoin's price was just under $93,000 after experiencing significant selling pressure.

🌍 The pullback affected the entire crypto ecosystem, reducing its value by approximately 2% to around $3.16 trillion. Among the top ten cryptocurrencies, Solana (SOL) and XRP were hit hardest, each dropping 5%. Data from Coinglass indicated that over the past hour, $544.25 million was liquidated from crypto derivatives markets, including $137 million in Bitcoin longs.

💰 Total liquidations for the day reached $653.92 million, affecting over 235,000 traders. This Sunday evening selloff was intensified by thin weekend liquidity, which made the markets more susceptible to pressure. In contrast, precious metals like gold and silver saw increases, with gold hitting $4,679 per ounce and silver rising to $93.38.

⚠️ The market turbulence was compounded by ongoing geopolitical tensions and U.S. President Trump's new tariffs, which prompted a de-risking approach among investors. Trump's tariff announcement on January 17, 2026, targeted eight European countries and escalated his efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark. Additionally, the U.S. Senate's delay on a market structure bill likely contributed to the cautious sentiment over the weekend.

❗️ Overall, the weekend's trading conditions—characterized by thin liquidity and high leverage—turned typical selling into a widespread crypto downturn. Until trading volume stabilizes and leverage decreases, volatility is expected to persist, with weekends potentially continuing to pose risks for traders.

📈 Generational Trust in Crypto: A Survey by OKX

📊 A recent survey by OKX, conducted in the United States on January 21, 2026, reveals significant differences in trust towards crypto platforms among different generations. The survey found that 40% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials rated their trust in crypto platforms as high (7+), compared to only 9% of Baby Boomers. In contrast, 74% of Boomers expressed high trust in legacy banks, while less than 20% of younger adults felt the same about banks.

🔍 The survey also indicates a growing confidence among younger generations year-over-year. It reports that 40% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials plan to increase their crypto trading in 2026. This trend highlights differing factors that drive trust across generations: younger users prioritize platform security, while Boomers focus on regulation. These generational preferences could potentially reshape how Americans save, invest, and manage their $15 trillion in the coming years.

Gen Z and Millennials are about five times more likely than Boomers to highly trust crypto platforms.

❗️ The survey was conducted with 1,000 Americans and emphasizes the shifting landscape of trust in financial platforms. As younger generations become more confident in crypto, it may lead to a significant shift in investment behaviors and financial strategies in the near future.

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To introduce new users to the project, a giveaway is starting.

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🗓 Starts: January 26
⏳ Duration: 10 days (through February 4)
📢 Results: February 5

Winners will be selected via a smart contract on TON. Everything is on-chain and transparent, and the contract link will be available to everyone. Details and results will be posted in the official Lucky Train Telegram channel.

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📉 Bitcoin's Volatile Options Expiry: A $1.81 Billion Event

📊 On January 23, the expiry of $1.81 billion in Bitcoin options led to significant price fluctuations, with Bitcoin's value oscillating between $88,700 and $89,500 before recovering to over $90,000. This volatility was exacerbated by four consecutive days of ETF outflows totaling $32 million and heightened market anxiety due to instability in the Japanese bond market.

📉 The options expiry coincided with a sharp movement in Bitcoin's price, highlighting the substantial impact of derivatives on spot price movements. After nearing the critical $90,000 mark, Bitcoin dipped to $88,800 but briefly rebounded to $89,500 before falling again to around $88,700. This downward pressure was primarily driven by ongoing weakness in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which experienced their fourth day of net outflows.

Market data showed withdrawals of $32 million on the day,

analysts noted, linking these sustained ETF redemptions to a broader climate of "extreme fear" in global markets triggered by turbulence in the Japanese bond market.

⚖️ The options expiry was anticipated as a potential liquidity event. According to Deribit, a leading crypto options and futures exchange, contracts worth $1.81 billion settled with a put/call ratio of 0.74 and a "max pain" level at $92,000. This positioning indicated that dealers and hedgers were preparing for increased volatility.

Expiry positioning is tightly clustered around key strikes, keeping spot sensitive into the cut,

Deribit stated, emphasizing the impact of geopolitical and trade policy uncertainties on hedging demand.

📉 Bitcoin's Sideways Trading and February Outlook

📊 On January 27, Bitcoin traded sideways, consolidating around $87,650 after fluctuating between $88,760 and $87,315, with a market cap of $1.73 trillion. Despite a return of net positive inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the cryptocurrency lacked the momentum to rise significantly. In contrast, altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and BNB saw modest gains, pushing the total crypto market cap to $3.06 trillion.

📉 After a volatile month where Bitcoin tested resistance at $98,000 before dropping to a low of $86,000, it seems likely to end January 2026 without substantial gains. Arthur Azizov, founder of B2 Ventures, noted that the market lacks confidence, partly due to the lingering effects of the October 10, 2025 market crash.

❗️ Looking ahead to February, many analysts remain hopeful for a shift in momentum. Historically, February has been one of Bitcoin's strongest months, often serving as a recovery period or a continuation of early-year rallies. This seasonal strength is attributed to the conclusion of tax-loss harvesting and portfolio rebalancing in January.

⚠️ However, some experts caution that historical cycles may be shifting. Shawn Young, chief analyst of MEXC Research, pointed out that while Bitcoin and Ethereum have historical average growth rates of 14% and 27% respectively for February, relying on past data is no longer a guarantee. He also mentioned that quantum threats may be affecting investor sentiment due to uncertainty about their severity.

🔍 In summary, while there are signs of potential recovery for Bitcoin and Ethereum, shifting cycles and external risks could impact the crypto market's momentum in February.

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For many crypto holders, the key question is no longer which coin will pump, but how existing assets can generate steady USD income.