‍Helio Corporation to Launch $20 Million ICO for Space-Based Solar Power Helio Corporation has announced a $20 million Initial Coin Offering (ICO) using its utility token, Mission Helio. The funds will support the development of solar power systems designed to transmit renewable energy from orbit to Earth. This initiative represents a novel approach for publicly traded OTC companies to access digital asset markets for tangible, regulated energy infrastructure financing without diluting shareholder equity. The Mission Helio token offers tiered participation and usage-based benefits, not equity or profit rights.
‍Davos 2026: Institutional Leaders Convene for 4th Digital Asset Forum The 4th Institutional Investor Gathering has commenced in Davos, Switzerland, uniting global policymakers and financial executives. Hosted by Blockchain Founders Capital (BFC), the event focuses on integrating digital assets into the financial system. Discussions highlight institutional adoption and regulatory clarity, with emphasis on stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure. Supporting partners include Animoca Brands, Injective, Bitwise, and Bitvavo. "The conversation around digital assets has shifted from experimentation to execution," stated Sagar Barvaliya, General Partner at BFC. "Our goal is to bring together investors and policymakers to discuss how regulation and technology can align to support responsible, large-scale adoption." The exclusive forum, limited to 70 participants, features insights from Yat Siu (Animoca Brands) and Matt Hougan (Bitwise).
‍Tether Duality: Stablecoins Aid Citizens and Sanctioned Entities In early 2026, Tether (USDT) demonstrates a dual role amid geopolitical instability. In Iran and Venezuela, citizens utilize USDT as a hedge against hyperinflation and bank distrust. Concurrently, sanctioned entities, including Iran's IRGC and Venezuela's state-run oil company, leverage Tron-based USDT to bypass international sanctions, moving billions in revenue. Tether actively cooperates with law enforcement, blacklisting approximately $3.3 billion in funds between 2023 and late 2025, with a significant portion on the Tron network. This highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing financial privacy with international security.
‍Global Crypto M&A Hits $37 Billion in 2025, Surpassing Forecasts The cryptocurrency and blockchain industry saw unprecedented consolidation in 2025, with disclosed M&A values reaching a record $37 billion. This is a sevenfold increase from the previous year and surpasses initial projections of $30 billion. The industry recorded 356 deals, a 74% increase year-over-year, with a rise in "mega-deals" exceeding $100 million and $500 million. Traditional financial institutions are increasingly involved, particularly in stablecoin and payment processing. Experts note that future M&A pace depends on regulatory clarity, interest rates, and risk appetite. Analysts anticipate a continued trend towards building sustainable enterprises and "bridge" acquisitions by traditional firms entering the digital asset space. Deal structures are evolving to emphasize risk management. The record performance of 2025 indicates growing integration with the global financial system, with a focus shifting towards resilient, long-term business models.
‍Record 11.6 Million Crypto Tokens Failed in 2025 The cryptocurrency market experienced an unprecedented surge in project collapses in 2025, with over 11.6 million digital assets failing. Memecoins were the primary casualties, reflecting extreme market volatility and the proliferation of speculative assets, particularly on blockchains like Solana. The final quarter of 2025 saw 7.7 million tokens cease active trading, exacerbated by a market correction on October 10, 2025, which liquidated over $19 billion in leveraged positions. Research analyst Shaun Paul Lee linked the high failure rate to broader macro-instabilities and the memecoin sector's vulnerability. The ease of launching new tokens via platforms like Solana's pump.fun contributed significantly to this "extinction event," facilitating a flood of low-effort projects. Despite the failures, the memecoin sector showed resilience in early 2026, with market capitalization and transaction volumes increasing. However, the trend highlights the inherent risks in the memecoin market and questions the ecosystem's shift towards sustainability.
‍Fed Chair Powell Under DOJ Probe Amid Monetary Policy Dispute Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has publicly stated that a new criminal investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) is linked to his refusal to align monetary policy with the executive branch's preferences. Powell views the probe as an attempt to compromise the central bank's independence in interest rate decisions. This conflict escalates as Powell's term ends in May 2026, creating uncertainty for global financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. The investigation, opened January 9, 2026, concerns renovations at the Fed's headquarters and Powell's testimony to Congress. Powell denies wrongdoing, calling it a political maneuver due to the Fed's stance against aggressive interest rate cuts. This institutional clash is closely watched by Bitcoin and digital asset investors. The Fed's independence typically stabilizes the US Dollar, while political interference can signal inflationary pressures or liquidity shifts. Potential consequences include rapid rate cuts, increased liquidity for high-risk assets, and heightened volatility for Ethereum and other major tokens as the May deadline approaches. Analysts suggest a compromised Fed autonomy might drive investors toward decentralized assets as a hedge.
‍Vitalik Buterin Supports X's Open-Source Algorithm Proposal Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has endorsed Elon Musk's plan to open-source the X (formerly Twitter) platform's algorithm. Buterin stressed that for the initiative to be truly effective, the algorithm's code must be verifiable and reproducible. This move aims to address concerns about algorithmic bias and opaque moderation practices, allowing users to examine the execution code if they suspect their content is being suppressed. While supportive, Buterin also raised concerns about the proposed four-week update cycle, suggesting more frequent updates may be necessary to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.
‍Monero (XMR) Reaches All-Time High Above $567 Monero (XMR) has surged to a new all-time high of over $567 on January 11, 2026, surpassing its previous record from 2017. This marks a significant resurgence for privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, which have shown resilience and outperformed broader market trends since late 2025. While the "privacy trade" is gaining momentum, analysts advise caution due to regulatory scrutiny and fragmented liquidity on offshore exchanges, which could increase volatility and the risk of price manipulation. Increased demand for transactional confidentiality amid tightening restrictions on cash and digital payments is driving this trend. https://cryptovka.ru/en/news/8018/monero-surges-to-record-567-breaking-eight-year-price-resistance
‍X Introduces Smart Cashtags for Real-Time Financial Data Elon Musk's platform X will launch Smart Cashtags in February 2026, transforming ticker symbols like $BTC or $NVDA into interactive links within the feed. This feature aims to provide users with instant access to live pricing, historical charts, and relevant discussions. To enhance accuracy, especially in crypto markets, X will use smart contract addresses to identify specific digital assets, reducing confusion with similar tickers or fraudulent tokens. This initiative is part of X's evolution into an "everything app" integrating social media with financial services.
‍Monero (XMR) Surpasses $500 Amidst Zcash Governance Crisis Monero (XMR) has reached $500, a level not seen since the 2021 bull market. This surge, occurring on January 11, 2026, coincides with significant leadership turmoil and a mass resignation at the Electric Coin Company (ECC), the main developer of Zcash (ZEC). Amidst this upheaval, Zcash has seen a 20% price drop. Traders are reportedly redirecting capital towards Monero, perceiving it as a more stable option for privacy-focused transactions.