Business

January, 2026

• 29 January

  Bitpanda and Ribbon Plc Launch Crypto Trading, Custody, and Staking for UK Users

  

  European crypto platform Bitpanda’s B2B arm, **Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS)**, has partnered with UK digital financial services super-app **Ribbon Plc** to introduce a comprehensive digital asset investment service for UK customers, announced January 29, 2026. Under the agreement, Ribbon integrates Bitpanda’s infrastructure to deliver: – **Crypto trading** — Buy, sell, swap, and open-loop transfers for a range of cryptocurrencies. – …
• 29 January

  Optimism DAO Approves OP Buyback Proposal with 84% Support – Next Steps Explained

  

  The Optimism Collective has approved a landmark governance proposal to implement monthly OP token buybacks, securing **84.4%** voter approval in an on-chain vote that concluded January 28, 2026. The measure directs **50%** of net Superchain sequencer revenue—generated across OP Mainnet, Base, Unichain, Ink, World Chain, Soneium, and other OP Stack chains—to repurchase OP tokens from the open market. This 12-month …
• 29 January

  Bitcoin Dips as Hawkish Fed and Outflows Shake the Market: Analysts Warn

  

  Bitcoin declined this week, dipping below $89,000 to trade around $87,900–$88,900 as of January 29, 2026, pressured by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s January 28 FOMC decision and sustained capital outflows from crypto funds. The Fed held benchmark rates steady at 3.5%–3.75%, but its statement and Chair Powell’s remarks emphasized inflation persistence and a resilient economy, signaling limited near-term cuts (fewer …
• 29 January

  US Senators Criticize DOJ Over Crypto Crime Unit Shutdown Amid Conflicts

  

  Six Democratic US Senators—Mazie Hirono, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Christopher Coons, and Richard Blumenthal—publicly slammed the Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 28, 2026, over the 2025 disbandment of its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). In a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, they alleged conflicts of interest, noting he held cryptocurrency valued at $158,000–$470,000 (primarily Bitcoin …
• 29 January

  Bitcoin Slides on Hawkish Fed Stance and Crypto Fund Outflows: Analysts Flag More Volatility

  

  Bitcoin faced renewed selling pressure this week, dipping below $89,000 (trading around $87,800–$88,700 as of January 29, 2026) after the U.S. Federal Reserve’s January 28 FOMC meeting. The Fed held rates steady at 3.5%–3.75% but struck a hawkish tone—highlighting elevated inflation risks, a resilient economy, and limited near-term cuts (markets now expect fewer than two 25bps reductions in 2026). This …
• 29 January

  Bybit to Launch Dollar Accounts With Partner Banks – Is Mainstream Crypto Coming?

  

  Bybit, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, announced on January 29, 2026, plans to introduce **”MyBank”** accounts, enabling users to hold and manage US dollars and other fiat currencies through partnerships with traditional licensed banks. Set for a February 2026 rollout (pending approvals), these accounts feature personal **International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs)** for seamless transfers across 18 fiat …
• 29 January

  $137M Injection for Metaplanet Through Third-Party Allotment

  

  Japan-based Metaplanet Inc., a prominent Bitcoin treasury company, approved a major capital raise of up to ¥21 billion (approximately $137 million) through a third-party allotment on January 29, 2026. The structure includes issuing 24,529,000 new common shares at ¥499 each, expected to raise ~¥12.24 billion (~$82 million), plus 25th Series stock acquisition rights that could yield an additional ~¥8.8 billion …
• 29 January

  Central Bank of the UAE Approves First USD-Backed Stablecoin

  

  In a landmark step for digital finance, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has approved **USDU**, the country’s first USD-backed stablecoin, under its Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR). Issued by Universal Digital Intl Limited—a firm regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)—USDU marks the UAE’s first registered Foreign Payment Token for USD-denominated settlements. …
• 29 January

  GameStop 2.0? Robinhood CEO Says Tokenization Could Solve Trading Halts

  

  The 2021 GameStop frenzy exposed flaws in traditional stock trading when platforms like Robinhood restricted buys on volatile “meme stocks” amid surging retail demand from Reddit’s WallStreetBets. These halts, triggered by liquidity strains and clearinghouse collateral demands under the then T+2 settlement system, sparked widespread criticism over market fairness. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev recently reflected that the episode was a …
• 28 January

  OKX Rolls Out Mastercard-Powered Card in Europe for Stablecoin Spending

  

  Crypto exchange OKX has officially rolled out its **OKX Card** in Europe on January 28, 2026, enabling users to spend stablecoins seamlessly at merchants accepting Mastercard. The debit card, issued through regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) partner Monavate, allows direct payments from self-custody wallets via OKX Pay, converting stablecoins at the point of sale without manual top-ups or separate apps. …