Business

January, 2026

• 28 January

  Bitcoin vs Silver: BTC Breakdown Sparks ‘Insane’ Reaction Among Traders

  

  Bitcoin has faced a sharp relative decline against silver, with the BTC/silver ratio breaking key support and hitting levels reminiscent of the 2022 FTX capitulation, prompting traders to call the move “insane.” As of January 27–28, 2026, the ratio hovers near 780—below 2017 peaks and close to the ~700 low from Bitcoin’s cycle bottom—after silver surged dramatically while BTC consolidated …
• 28 January

  South Dakota Lawmaker Revives Bill to Let State Invest in Bitcoin

  

  South Dakota State Representative Logan Manhart has reintroduced legislation to permit the state to invest public funds in Bitcoin, reviving a proposal deferred last year. On January 27, 2026, Manhart filed House Bill 1155 (HB 1155), which would amend state code to allow the State Investment Council to allocate up to 10% of public treasury funds into Bitcoin alongside traditional …
• 28 January

  Morgan Stanley Launches Digital-Asset Strategy, Appoints Veteran Exec to Lead

  

  Morgan Stanley has launched a dedicated digital-asset strategy and appointed longtime executive **Amy Oldenburg** to lead it as head of digital-asset strategy, a newly created role announced on January 27, 2026. This move builds on the bank’s accelerating push into cryptocurrencies, following recent filings for spot Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana ETFs, and plans for a proprietary crypto wallet in the …
• 28 January

  UK Regulators Pull the Plug on Coinbase’s ‘Irresponsible’ Advertisement

  

  The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a Coinbase cryptocurrency advertising campaign, ruling it “irresponsible” for downplaying investment risks amid economic pressures. The decision, announced January 27, 2026, follows complaints about a satirical video and three posters that linked Coinbase to solutions for the cost-of-living crisis. **What Happened?** The campaign, launched in August 2025, featured a musical-style video depicting …
• 28 January

  Korea Considers Ownership Limits for Crypto Exchanges: Regulator Weighs New Rules

  

  South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is pushing forward with proposals to impose ownership caps on cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling a major regulatory shift to enhance oversight in the virtual asset sector. On January 28, 2026, FSC Chairman Lee Eog-weon emphasized the need to limit major shareholders’ stakes to around 20% (with discussions centering on 15-20%), treating leading platforms as critical …
• 28 January

  Nomura’s Crypto Arm Laser Digital Reportedly Eyes US Bank Charter

  

  Nomura’s crypto-focused subsidiary, Laser Digital, has filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish Laser Digital National Trust Bank (LDNTB), a proposed federally regulated national trust bank dedicated to digital assets. Announced on January 27, 2026, this move aims to deepen Laser Digital’s institutional presence in the U.S. by providing regulated custody and …
• 28 January

  Bitcoin Rises to $89K as Asia Opens Uneven, Gold Surges to New High

  

  Asian markets opened unevenly on January 28, 2026, as investors balanced risk assets like cryptocurrency with safe-haven commodities amid ongoing global uncertainty. Bitcoin (BTC) traded around $88,000–$89,000, showing resilience after recent pullbacks, while gold extended its rally to fresh all-time highs above $5,100 per ounce. Bitcoin Update BTC has fluctuated in the $87K–$89K range over the past day, reflecting cautious …
• 28 January

  Senior Thai Power Officials Caught Running Unauthorized Crypto Mines

  

  Thailand is reeling from a high-profile corruption case involving senior Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) officials accused of facilitating illegal Bitcoin mining by abusing their positions to enable massive electricity theft. The scandal, exposed in late January 2026, has ignited public outrage over misuse of state resources and governance failures in the energy sector. What Happened? The Department of Special Investigation …
• 28 January

  Thailand Shock: Senior Electricity Bureau Officials Involved in Crypto Mining Scandal

  

  Thailand is facing a significant corruption scandal as senior officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) have been linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining operations that siphoned off electricity worth several billion baht. The case, uncovered by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), has triggered public outrage and demands for accountability in the energy and crypto sectors. **What Happened?** Investigations revealed …
• 28 January

  Coinbase Tests Flipcash’s USDF with Its Own Custom Stablecoins

  

  Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has initiated backend testing of USDF, a custom stablecoin developed by crypto infrastructure firm Flipcash, as it advances its Custom Stablecoins program. Announced in December 2025, this initiative allows businesses to create branded, dollar-backed stablecoins fully collateralized 1:1 by flexible assets like USDC, with Coinbase handling issuance, custody, compliance, and security. **What is Flipcash’s USDF?** …