From 'Ethereum’s sidekick' to standalone stars: How Vitalik Buterin’s latest pivot is forcing Layer 2s to grow up - CoinDesk

Nomura defends crypto strategy as it limits short-term volatility at Laser Digital - CoinDesk

UBS CEO Details Crypto Plans Following Report of Bitcoin, Ethereum Trading for Wealthy Clients - Decrypt

Newly unsealed DOJ files link Jeffrey Epstein to a 2014 investment in Coinbase - CoinDesk

Bitcoin Falls to $72,000 as Traders Navigate a ‘Crisis of Faith’ - Bloomberg ($)

Vitalik Buterin Moves $29 Million Worth of Ethereum—Here's Why - Decrypt

Wall Street giant CME Group is eyeing its own 'CME Coin,' CEO says - CoinDesk

Can the Government 'Bail Out' Bitcoin? Congressman Prompts Bizarre Exchange With Treasury Secretary - Decrypt

Bessent grilled over Trump-linked World Liberty Financial, says Treasury doesn’t have the power to ‘bail out bitcoin’ - The Block

Early Bitcoin Dev Calls on Adam Back to Resign After Epstein Files Revelations - Decrypt

Prediction Traders Are Betting Bitcoin Will Fall Below $65,000 - Bloomberg ($)

Multicoin founder Kyle Samani steps back from VC firm, will continue to advocate for Solana - The Block

Brock Pierce's Relationship With Jeffrey Epstein Went Deeper Than Anyone Knew - Decrypt

Multicoin Capital co-founder Kyle Samani steps down after nearly a decade to pursue other areas of tech - CoinDesk

Crypto Floats New Compromises in Bid to Save Contentious Bill - Bloomberg ($)

Binance denies issuing legal threats over insolvency allegations - The Block

Hong Kong could double its fund industry through tokenization, BCG says - The Block

SBI Holdings unveils Layer 1 proof of concept for tokenized stocks co-developed with Startale Group - The Block

Tether USDT posts record user growth in Q4 despite crypto market shock - The Block

House probe targets WLFI after report of $500 Million UAE stake - CoinDesk

House launches probe into $500 Million UAE deal linked to World Liberty Financial - The Block