OpenSea unlocks new rewards via MetaMask Rewards collab
OpenSea will distribute MetaMask points based on users’ final placement in the latest OpenSea Treasure Chest wave. Eligible users can also unlock a 500-point bonus by opting into MetaMask Rewards with the referral code OPNSEA.
👉 x.com/opensea/status/2011483527704166868?s=20
OpenSea will distribute MetaMask points based on users’ final placement in the latest OpenSea Treasure Chest wave. Eligible users can also unlock a 500-point bonus by opting into MetaMask Rewards with the referral code OPNSEA.
👉 x.com/opensea/status/2011483527704166868?s=20
BNB Chain Completes 34th Quarterly BNB Token Burn
A total of 1.37M BNB ($1.28B) was burned on BNB Smart Chain. This quarter’s burn, along with future burns, is now executed directly on BSC following the BNB Chain Fusion upgrade.
The previous burn occurred on October 27, 2025, permanently removed from circulation 1.44M BNB (~$1.208B). The remaining total supply is set at 136,361,374 BNB ($128.13B Valuation)
👉 x.com/BNBCHAIN/status/2011768959201075556?s=20
A total of 1.37M BNB ($1.28B) was burned on BNB Smart Chain. This quarter’s burn, along with future burns, is now executed directly on BSC following the BNB Chain Fusion upgrade.
The previous burn occurred on October 27, 2025, permanently removed from circulation 1.44M BNB (~$1.208B). The remaining total supply is set at 136,361,374 BNB ($128.13B Valuation)
👉 x.com/BNBCHAIN/status/2011768959201075556?s=20
Arthur Hayes released its new essay - Frowny Cloud
In his new essay, Hayes breaks down 5 core dynamics explaining how dollar liquidity, sovereign demand, and AI-driven equities shaped market in 2025.
1️⃣ Dollar liquidity is the main driver. Hayes argues that price action in BTC, gold, and equities is still primarily driven by changes in dollar liquidity
2️⃣ BTC lagged due to tighter liquidity. Reduced dollar liquidity was a key factor behind Bitcoin’s weaker performance in 2025
3️⃣ Gold outperformed on sovereign demand. Hayes explains gold’s strength by pointing to price-insensitive central bank and sovereign buying, driven by geopolitical risk
4️⃣ Gold is re-emerging as a settlement asset. Gold is increasingly used in trade settlement, not just as a passive reserve asset
5️⃣ AI supports equities despite macro pressure. Large-cap tech stocks remain resilient because AI has become strategically important and implicitly state-backed
In his new essay, Hayes breaks down 5 core dynamics explaining how dollar liquidity, sovereign demand, and AI-driven equities shaped market in 2025.
1️⃣ Dollar liquidity is the main driver. Hayes argues that price action in BTC, gold, and equities is still primarily driven by changes in dollar liquidity
2️⃣ BTC lagged due to tighter liquidity. Reduced dollar liquidity was a key factor behind Bitcoin’s weaker performance in 2025
3️⃣ Gold outperformed on sovereign demand. Hayes explains gold’s strength by pointing to price-insensitive central bank and sovereign buying, driven by geopolitical risk
4️⃣ Gold is re-emerging as a settlement asset. Gold is increasingly used in trade settlement, not just as a passive reserve asset
5️⃣ AI supports equities despite macro pressure. Large-cap tech stocks remain resilient because AI has become strategically important and implicitly state-backed
FootballFun’s FUN Token Goes Live on Multiple Exchanges
The FUN TGE has taken place across multiple venues, including Coinbase, OKX, Kraken, Binance Alpha, OpenSea, Aerodrome, Raydium, Bitget, Gate, KuCoin, and MEXC.
To access FUN-related incentives and benefits, tokens must be held in the SDF wallet directly on the FootballFun platform. Selling Squad NFTs or FUN tokens before or after launch may impact allocations, bonus eligibility, and future rewards.
FootballFun is an on-chain fantasy sports & prediction platform that enables users to trade tokenized exposure to real-world football players. Previously, it completed IEO via Kraken Launchpad.
👉 x.com/footballdotfun/status/2011800623067361527?s=20
The FUN TGE has taken place across multiple venues, including Coinbase, OKX, Kraken, Binance Alpha, OpenSea, Aerodrome, Raydium, Bitget, Gate, KuCoin, and MEXC.
To access FUN-related incentives and benefits, tokens must be held in the SDF wallet directly on the FootballFun platform. Selling Squad NFTs or FUN tokens before or after launch may impact allocations, bonus eligibility, and future rewards.
FootballFun is an on-chain fantasy sports & prediction platform that enables users to trade tokenized exposure to real-world football players. Previously, it completed IEO via Kraken Launchpad.
👉 x.com/footballdotfun/status/2011800623067361527?s=20
MetaMask Adds Native TRON Support to Mobile and Extension
TRON support has been added to MetaMask’s web extension and mobile app, enabling TRON-based portfolios and direct interaction with L1 dapps. The rollout is part of MetaMask’s broader multichain expansion, following earlier integrations with Solana and Bitcoin.
Users can now send USDT on TRON, stake TRX, and manage assets without additional wallets. TRON continues to serve as a major global stablecoin settlement layer, with hundreds of millions of accounts, billions of transactions, and over $25B in TVL reported this month.
👉 theblock.co/post/385768/metamask-native-tron-support-mobile-app-browser-extension
TRON support has been added to MetaMask’s web extension and mobile app, enabling TRON-based portfolios and direct interaction with L1 dapps. The rollout is part of MetaMask’s broader multichain expansion, following earlier integrations with Solana and Bitcoin.
Users can now send USDT on TRON, stake TRX, and manage assets without additional wallets. TRON continues to serve as a major global stablecoin settlement layer, with hundreds of millions of accounts, billions of transactions, and over $25B in TVL reported this month.
👉 theblock.co/post/385768/metamask-native-tron-support-mobile-app-browser-extension
Kaito & Cookie Sunset InfoFi Products After X API Policy Changes
Former X Head of Product Nikita Bier announced upcoming revisions to X’s developer API policies, effectively pushing Cookie’s Snaps and Kaito’s Yaps products toward sunset.
Following the announcement, both tokens declined by up to 21% within the last 45 minutes.
The API upgrade are expected to sunset apps that reward users for posting on X (InfoFi), with X will revoke API access for these applications.
👉 x.com/nikitabier/status/2011825522817270230?s=20
Former X Head of Product Nikita Bier announced upcoming revisions to X’s developer API policies, effectively pushing Cookie’s Snaps and Kaito’s Yaps products toward sunset.
Following the announcement, both tokens declined by up to 21% within the last 45 minutes.
The API upgrade are expected to sunset apps that reward users for posting on X (InfoFi), with X will revoke API access for these applications.
👉 x.com/nikitabier/status/2011825522817270230?s=20
ETHGas (GWEI) One-Pager. Airdrop Snapshot is Coming
ETHGas is an infrastructure layer that enables instant, gasless transactions through blockspace markets, optimizing execution costs across Ethereum.
The project has already gained strong traction, with 640K+ users, 300K+ gas reports generated, and over 314K ETH in total gas spent. Annualized revenue is estimated at $1B+, supported by $12M in private funding from notable industry participants.
The team has confirmed that an airdrop snapshot will take place on January 19, with 1B GWEI (10% of total supply) allocated for community distribution.
Power Up Your Beans With
ETHGas is an infrastructure layer that enables instant, gasless transactions through blockspace markets, optimizing execution costs across Ethereum.
The project has already gained strong traction, with 640K+ users, 300K+ gas reports generated, and over 314K ETH in total gas spent. Annualized revenue is estimated at $1B+, supported by $12M in private funding from notable industry participants.
The team has confirmed that an airdrop snapshot will take place on January 19, with 1B GWEI (10% of total supply) allocated for community distribution.
Power Up Your Beans With
ECA4QC0 Code 👉 ethgas.com/community/onboardingSentient (AGI) unveiled its tokenomics ahead of TGE
Sentient is a decentralized, open-source AGI project aimed at building community-owned AI infrastructure. Previously, Sentient raised $85M in private funding. Pre-Market FDV is $1.35 billion.
👉 blog.sentient.xyz/posts/tokenomics
Sentient is a decentralized, open-source AGI project aimed at building community-owned AI infrastructure. Previously, Sentient raised $85M in private funding. Pre-Market FDV is $1.35 billion.
👉 blog.sentient.xyz/posts/tokenomics
API platform for stock, options and crypto Alpaca raised $150M
Series D funding round was led by Drive Capital, with participation from Citadel Securities, Opera Tech Ventures, MUFG Innovation Partners, Flat Capital, DRW Venture Capital, Kraken & many others.
👉 x.com/AlpacaHQ/status/2011819451189002738?s=20
Series D funding round was led by Drive Capital, with participation from Citadel Securities, Opera Tech Ventures, MUFG Innovation Partners, Flat Capital, DRW Venture Capital, Kraken & many others.
👉 x.com/AlpacaHQ/status/2011819451189002738?s=20
Galaxy Digital debuts $75M Tokenized CLO on Avalanche
Galaxy Digital has successfully closed its first-ever $75M tokenized collateralized loan obligation, bringing structured private credit onchain and financing a credit facility to support crypto lending.
👉 x.com/avax/status/2011773188573978711?s=20
Galaxy Digital has successfully closed its first-ever $75M tokenized collateralized loan obligation, bringing structured private credit onchain and financing a credit facility to support crypto lending.
👉 x.com/avax/status/2011773188573978711?s=20
Stablecoin issuer Saturn raises $800K to build USDat
USDat is a Bitcoin-backed stablecoin protocol targeting 11%+ yield through Strategy’s STRC and U.S. Treasuries. As Bitcoin evolves into a credit layer, Saturn positions USDat as the first stablecoin designed to bring institutional-grade fixed income into DeFi at $10B+ scale.
👉 x.com/usdat21/status/2011831094463615313?s=20
USDat is a Bitcoin-backed stablecoin protocol targeting 11%+ yield through Strategy’s STRC and U.S. Treasuries. As Bitcoin evolves into a credit layer, Saturn positions USDat as the first stablecoin designed to bring institutional-grade fixed income into DeFi at $10B+ scale.
👉 x.com/usdat21/status/2011831094463615313?s=20
Brevis and BNB Chain to launch an “Intelligent Privacy Pool”
Brevis and BNB Chain are partnering to build a next-generation privacy infrastructure for Web3 using ZK proofs, enabling selective, programmable privacy rather than fully opaque transactions.
👉 x.com/BNBCHAIN/status/2011763563317039107?s=20
Brevis and BNB Chain are partnering to build a next-generation privacy infrastructure for Web3 using ZK proofs, enabling selective, programmable privacy rather than fully opaque transactions.
👉 x.com/BNBCHAIN/status/2011763563317039107?s=20
Bitmine invests $200 million in MrBeast's 'Beast Industries'
Beast Industries is the holding company behind MrBeast that runs his media empire and diversified business ventures, from content production to consumer products, tech tools, and services, turning his massive audience into a multi-category commercial brand.
👉 theinformation.com/articles/bitmines-switch-ether-mrbeast
Beast Industries is the holding company behind MrBeast that runs his media empire and diversified business ventures, from content production to consumer products, tech tools, and services, turning his massive audience into a multi-category commercial brand.
👉 theinformation.com/articles/bitmines-switch-ether-mrbeast
Biggest Spot DEXs by Trading Volume in 2025
Spot DEX trading in 2025 was dominated by a handful of protocols processing hundreds of billions in volume across Ethereum, Solana, Base, and beyond. Uniswap remained the clear leader, while Solana-native DEXs captured a growing share of global onchain liquidity.
Spot DEX trading in 2025 was dominated by a handful of protocols processing hundreds of billions in volume across Ethereum, Solana, Base, and beyond. Uniswap remained the clear leader, while Solana-native DEXs captured a growing share of global onchain liquidity.
Pumpfun introduces Callouts with push alerts and leaderboards
Callouts feature allows users call a coin once every six hours while instantly alerting their followers via push notifications. The system also introduces a global caller leaderboard, allowing users to level up and compete based on their callout activity.
👉 x.com/pumpfun/status/2011865917160907160
Callouts feature allows users call a coin once every six hours while instantly alerting their followers via push notifications. The system also introduces a global caller leaderboard, allowing users to level up and compete based on their callout activity.
👉 x.com/pumpfun/status/2011865917160907160
Citrea launches ctUSD, native stablecoin for Bitcoin
ctUSD is a stablecoin designed as a native liquidity layer for Bitcoin, issued by MoonPay and powered by M0. Fully backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries, ctUSD aims to bring compliant, scalable, and non-bridged stablecoin liquidity directly to the BTC ecosystem.
👉 blog.citrea.xyz/introducing-citrea-usd-ctusd-the-native-stablecoin-for-bitcoin-issued-by-moonpay-and-powered-by-m0/
ctUSD is a stablecoin designed as a native liquidity layer for Bitcoin, issued by MoonPay and powered by M0. Fully backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries, ctUSD aims to bring compliant, scalable, and non-bridged stablecoin liquidity directly to the BTC ecosystem.
👉 blog.citrea.xyz/introducing-citrea-usd-ctusd-the-native-stablecoin-for-bitcoin-issued-by-moonpay-and-powered-by-m0/
Coinbase Starts Offering Stock Trading to Its Clients
The move is part of Coinbase’s “everything exchange” strategy, following the recent addition of prediction markets to the platform. The service is currently available to a limited number of users.
👉 fortune.com/2026/01/16/coinbase-is-late-to-stocks
The move is part of Coinbase’s “everything exchange” strategy, following the recent addition of prediction markets to the platform. The service is currently available to a limited number of users.
👉 fortune.com/2026/01/16/coinbase-is-late-to-stocks
Google Play to Require Crypto Platforms to Register as VASPs With Korean Authorities
Google Play will block unregistered overseas crypto exchanges and wallets from being listed or updated in South Korea.
Starting January 28, crypto platforms must register as VASPs with Korea’s FIU to operate on Google Play. As a result, apps from major global exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and OKX will be blocked from new installs and updates.
So far, only 27 domestic platforms, including Upbit and Bithumb, have completed registration, while compliance is considered nearly impossible for overseas exchanges due to strict local security and AML requirements.
👉 theblock.co/post/385892/google-play-ban-south-korea
Google Play will block unregistered overseas crypto exchanges and wallets from being listed or updated in South Korea.
Starting January 28, crypto platforms must register as VASPs with Korea’s FIU to operate on Google Play. As a result, apps from major global exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and OKX will be blocked from new installs and updates.
So far, only 27 domestic platforms, including Upbit and Bithumb, have completed registration, while compliance is considered nearly impossible for overseas exchanges due to strict local security and AML requirements.
👉 theblock.co/post/385892/google-play-ban-south-korea
Crypto Market Check-In. Major Events & Headlines
The past few days have delivered a wave of updates across the crypto ecosystem, spanning infrastructure developments, funding activity, product launches, and broader market-related announcements.
Below is a snapshot of the most notable crypto news and ecosystem updates from recent days.
The past few days have delivered a wave of updates across the crypto ecosystem, spanning infrastructure developments, funding activity, product launches, and broader market-related announcements.
Below is a snapshot of the most notable crypto news and ecosystem updates from recent days.
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WINTER!
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
A full list of Major Upcoming Events, to be updated
👉 https://cryptodiffer.com/events
Kontigo case puts spotlight on USDC usage and compliance
Kontigo, a U.S. startup backed by Y Combinator and Coinbase VC, operates a platform in Venezuela allowing users to convert local currency into USDC and use it to move money and store value.
As the platform facilitated stablecoin flows interacting with the Venezuelan fin system, analysts raised questions about how it intersected with sanctions — what does this case illustrate about compliance considerations in complex, high-risk environments?
👉 fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/kontigo-ycombinators-venezuela-sanctions
Kontigo, a U.S. startup backed by Y Combinator and Coinbase VC, operates a platform in Venezuela allowing users to convert local currency into USDC and use it to move money and store value.
As the platform facilitated stablecoin flows interacting with the Venezuelan fin system, analysts raised questions about how it intersected with sanctions — what does this case illustrate about compliance considerations in complex, high-risk environments?
👉 fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/kontigo-ycombinators-venezuela-sanctions