Business

January, 2026

• 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. …
• 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 …