The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partially won its case against the crypto exchange Kraken. A California federal judge ruled on 24 January 2025, dismissing Kraken’s argument that Congress had not granted the SEC jurisdiction over the crypto market. Judge William Orrick decided that the SEC’s actions fell within powers that Congress could reasonably have delegated to the agency.
Kraken had invoked the ‘major questions doctrine,’ which argues that government agencies cannot exercise powers not specifically granted by Congress. Other crypto companies, such as Coinbase and Binance, have used this defence in similar cases. However, Judge Orrick noted that while cryptocurrency is growing, it has not reached an economic significance comparable to other sectors like energy or student loans.
Despite this, the court allowed Kraken’s ‘fair notice’ defence to remain in place. Kraken claimed it wasn’t adequately informed by the SEC about how its activities might violate securities laws. The case, which began in November 2023, is part of the SEC’s ongoing efforts to regulate the crypto industry, with Kraken accused of operating without proper registration as a securities exchange.
Binance co-founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has voiced strong support for government transparency, advocating for all public spending to be tracked on the blockchain. It comes after reports suggesting Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are exploring blockchain to improve fiscal accountability and address the federal deficit in the United States. In a post on 25 January, CZ argued that all government expenditures should be recorded on an immutable public ledger, stressing that “public spending” should be fully transparent.
The call for onchain tracking of government spending has sparked widespread debate online, particularly among advocates of small government and fiscal responsibility. Blockchain’s transparency could offer a solution to rising government debt and fiscal irresponsibility, as the immutable nature of the ledger would make it impossible to alter past transactions.
In light of the ongoing global fiscal challenges, including the US’s mounting $36 trillion national debt, CZ’s suggestion aligns with the broader discussion about the role of blockchain in promoting sound monetary and fiscal policies. Fixed-supply assets like Bitcoin are increasingly seen as a hedge against currency inflation, and some, including former President Trump, have suggested using Bitcoin to pay off national debt.
The idea of tracking government spending on the blockchain continues to gain traction as a potential method for increasing transparency and reducing inefficiencies within government finances.
Bitcoin has surged to an all-time high of $109,071 following Donald Trump’s inauguration as a “crypto president” and optimism surrounding eased regulations and ETF approvals. However, some of the world’s largest investors remain unconvinced about cryptocurrency’s potential.
Anne Walsh, chief investment officer at Guggenheim Partners, which manages $335 billion in assets, stated that her firm has not invested in crypto. She described Bitcoin as a reflection of “risk-on appetite” rather than an alternative to traditional banking. Similar scepticism was echoed by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norway’s $1.8 trillion sovereign wealth fund, who ruled out crypto investments for Norges Bank.
Saira Malik of Nuveen, with $1.3 trillion in assets under management, highlighted the difficulty in determining the fundamental value of crypto, although her firm invests in companies exposed to digital assets. Meanwhile, Melissa Stolfi of TCW Group, which oversees $200 billion, emphasised focusing on core business operations rather than entering the crypto market.
Despite Bitcoin‘s explosive growth, major investment firms remain cautious, citing concerns about valuation, regulation, and the resources required to succeed in the crypto space.
Ivanka Trump has issued a public warning against a fraudulent cryptocurrency named the so-called ‘$IVANKA’ coin. ‘To be clear: I have no involvement with this coin. This fake coin risks deceiving consumers and defrauding them of their hard-earned money,’ she stated.
The warning comes amid a surge of meme tokens linked to prominent figures, including $TRUMP and $MELANIA, launched over the weekend. These tokens initially gained attention but have since seen significant drops in value. The $TRUMP coin, linked to the former president, peaked before falling by 50% to $37, while the $MELANIA token plunged by 80% to $2.84.
Despite their popularity among crypto enthusiasts, meme coins are highly volatile and lack intrinsic value. Ivanka Trump, who played a major role in the first Trump administration alongside her husband Jared Kushner, urges caution to help investors avoid losses from deceptive schemes.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink shared an optimistic outlook on Bitcoin, positioning it as a potential hedge against currency debasement and political instability. He suggested that Bitcoin could reach values of $500K to $700K per coin, presenting it as a global financial tool to overcome concerns about local economic uncertainty. However, Fink also pointed out Bitcoin’s notorious volatility, acknowledging that its price has seen sharp corrections even during bullish periods.
In a significant move, BlackRock has purchased $600 million worth of Bitcoin, marking its largest acquisition in 2025. This purchase brings the firm’s iShares Bitcoin Trust to a total of 559,262 BTC, currently valued at approximately $58.51 billion. BlackRock has also expanded its crypto portfolio, launching the iShares Bitcoin Trust and iShares Ethereum Trust last year, offering investors more direct access to Bitcoin and Ethereum.
As the firm continues to strengthen its position in the digital assets market, the recent purchase highlights growing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a long-term investment despite its volatility.
US President Donald Trump recently unveiled the $500 billion Stargate project, a groundbreaking AI infrastructure initiative that has captured market attention. Collaborating with OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX, the project is based in the US and has already secured $100 billion in initial funding. Industry experts suggest this move could significantly influence the AI and cryptocurrency markets.
Dr Max Li, CEO of decentralised cloud platform OORT, highlighted the impact Stargate could have on AI tokens. He noted the strong connection between AI advancements and digital assets, predicting a surge in AI projects and token launches. Li warned that while many projects may emerge, only those with genuine utility and business value would endure.
The announcement triggered immediate market reactions, with AI tokens such as ai16z and Worldcoin seeing notable price increases. The rising interest in the convergence of artificial intelligence and decentralised finance (DeFi) suggests that the Stargate initiative could accelerate innovation in both sectors.
As AI continues to intersect with blockchain, the Stargate project positions the US at the forefront of these technological advancements, paving the way for further growth in AI-driven digital assets.
At the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the cryptocurrency industry engaged in intense debate, particularly surrounding Bitcoin and its potential role as a strategic reserve asset for the US. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reaffirmed that the push for a Bitcoin reserve, backed by figures like US Senator Cynthia Lummis and President Donald Trump, remains strong despite the recent memecoin frenzy surrounding Trump’s TRUMP token. Armstrong emphasised that Bitcoin, much like gold, is a valuable reserve asset due to its scarcity, portability, and divisibility, potentially making it a new gold standard for global reserves.
While the concept of a Bitcoin reserve gained support from many, Lesetja Kganyago, the governor of South Africa’s Reserve Bank, expressed doubts. He questioned why Bitcoin should replace traditional reserves like gold or even other natural resources like platinum. However, Armstrong countered by highlighting Bitcoin’s advantages over gold, noting that its higher utility and performance make it a strong candidate to eventually surpass gold in central bank reserves.
The session also delved into the growing influence of the US cryptocurrency lobby, particularly the positive effects of Trump’s administration on the sector. SkyBridge Capital’s Anthony Scaramucci critiqued the Democratic Party for failing to engage with the rapidly evolving crypto industry, while others noted the industry’s shift towards international markets due to the challenging regulatory environment in the US. Armstrong added that ‘the Trump effect’ has provided the sector with new optimism, suggesting a more favourable climate for crypto growth under the new administration.
CLS Global, a cryptocurrency financial services company based in the United Arab Emirates, has agreed to plead guilty to US charges of market manipulation. The company was implicated in “Operation Token Mirrors,” a groundbreaking FBI investigation that utilised an undercover digital token to expose fraud in the cryptocurrency sector. Prosecutors revealed CLS had engaged in illegal practices, including wash trading, to manipulate the market for a token created by the FBI.
The probe, launched last year, involved creating a fake cryptocurrency company and token called NexFundAI to uncover illicit activities. CLS admitted to providing fraudulent trading services for the token, artificially inflating its trading volume and price. As part of a plea deal, CLS will pay $428,059 in penalties, cease operations involving US cryptocurrency platforms, and adopt stricter compliance measures.
The case marks a major milestone in law enforcement’s efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and combat fraudulent practices. Federal prosecutors described the operation as a model for tackling crypto-related crime, demonstrating the FBI’s innovative approach to targeting market manipulators. CLS also agreed to settle related civil charges with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
On 20 January, Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term as President, delivering a speech focused on unity, economic growth, and border control. However, the crypto community noticed a glaring omission—there was no mention of cryptocurrencies or Bitcoin, despite recent developments involving the Trump family in the crypto space, including the launch of their meme coins. The lack of attention to crypto has left the industry uncertain about Trump’s stance, but optimism remains.
The first day of Trump’s second term saw a flurry of executive orders, but none addressed cryptocurrency. Despite hopes for swift action on issues like Bitcoin reserves or crypto advisory councils, the day passed without immediate policy clarity. However, insiders suggest that significant moves are still in the pipeline, including potential executive orders banning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and easing restrictions on banks holding digital assets.
Behind the scenes, the Trump family has continued to bet on crypto, with Donald Trump Jr. announcing $120 million in investments across various crypto assets, including Ethereum, Wrapped Bitcoin, and Chainlink. Additionally, key regulatory changes have already begun, with pro-crypto figures taking leadership roles in the SEC and CFTC, which may signal a more favourable regulatory environment for the industry.
Although Trump’s administration has yet to take definitive action on crypto, the market remains hopeful, with Bitcoin maintaining strong performance and hints of regulatory shifts sparking optimism. While the immediate future is unclear, the crypto industry remains eager for what might come next under Trump’s leadership.
The X account of Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been locked following allegations of promoting and profiting from several Solana-based meme coins. The controversy began when the account appeared to promote a token called ‘CUBA,’ sparking speculation about potential government involvement in the recent meme coin frenzy.
The CUBA token reportedly surged to a $30 million market cap before collapsing, with additional tokens like “Cuba Coin 2.0” and ‘Justice for Cuba Coin’ failing within a day. Screenshots also surfaced of another token, “CUBA 4.0,” further raising questions about hacking or misuse of the account. Whilst the Ministry’s X account briefly addressed “difficulties” before being deleted, no official statement has been issued.
Adding to the confusion, an X Space titled ‘Sorry from $CUBA,’ hosted by the account, included an apology from a person claiming to represent the Cuban government. The host initially denied wrongdoing but later made an erratic statement about a “million MC” before the Space was removed.
As the Ministry’s X account remains disabled and no clarification has been provided, the situation continues to fuel debate over the Cuban government’s potential connection to the meme coin drama.
