According to its National Bitcoin Office, El Salvador has added $1 million worth of Bitcoin to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, purchasing 12 BTC over two days. This acquisition comes despite a recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to scale back some of its crypto policies, including reducing government involvement in the Chivo wallet and making private-sector Bitcoin acceptance voluntary.
The latest purchase increases the country’s Bitcoin holdings to 6,044 BTC, valued at nearly $610 million. El Salvador’s Bitcoin investments remain consistent with President Nayib Bukele’s vision, even as a recent survey indicated that 92% of Salvadorans do not use Bitcoin for transactions.
El Salvador’s commitment to Bitcoin began in September 2021 when it became the first nation to adopt the cryptocurrency as legal tender. While other countries like Bhutan are investing heavily in digital assets, El Salvador’s bold moves continue to draw global attention and spark debate over its long-term crypto strategy.
Donald Trump’s newly launched meme coin, $TRUMP, has seen explosive growth, reaching a market cap of approximately $9 billion after peaking at over $15 billion on Sunday. The coin, which was announced on Truth Social ahead of Trump’s second presidential inauguration, quickly surged by more than 300% shortly after its release. By Sunday evening, the price had settled at just over $46, with a market cap of $9.36 billion. The coin, which operates on the Solana blockchain, is limited to an initial 200 million coins, with plans to expand to 1 billion over the next three years.
The $TRUMP token’s meteoric rise was accompanied by massive trading activity, hitting a 24-hour trading volume of $36.15 billion. However, the coin’s developers, including Trump’s affiliates CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, have made it clear that $TRUMP is not an investment opportunity, nor is it tied to any political campaign or government entity. Despite this, its launch has sparked interest, particularly in light of Trump’s ongoing political influence and support from cryptocurrency industry backers.
Trump’s meme coin is the latest in a series of merchandise ventures, including luxury items such as Trump-branded watches, perfumes, and NFTs. His administration has also expressed plans to reduce regulatory burdens on crypto firms and create a Bitcoin reserve. The growing anticipation surrounding Trump’s second term, along with his pro-crypto stance, continues to fuel optimism within the crypto market.
Additionally, Melania Trump entered the crypto space with the launch of her coin, $MELANIA, based on the Solana blockchain. The collaboration between the Trumps further aligns with their vision of a flourishing digital economy as they approach the new administration.
Melania Trump has unveiled her cryptocurrency, $MELANIA, just ahead of her husband Donald Trump’s inauguration as the US president. The token, hosted on the Solana blockchain, debuted with a market valuation of $1.7 billion, following the earlier release of $TRUMP, which currently boasts a $12 billion valuation.
Announcing the launch on social platform X, Melania’s post invited users to join the ‘Official Melania Meme’ movement. Both $MELANIA and $TRUMP websites include disclaimers stating the tokens are not intended as investment opportunities or securities, adding a layer of caution to their promotional efforts.
These developments highlight a shift in the Trump family’s stance on digital assets, with Donald Trump previously labelling crypto a ‘scam.’ During his campaign, however, he embraced the industry, pledging to reduce regulatory barriers and create a strategic Bitcoin reserve. His victory fuelled optimism in the market, driving Bitcoin to a record high of $107,000.
The crypto world continues to watch as the Trumps’ venture into digital currencies unfolds, with broader implications for regulatory policies and market dynamics under the new administration.
The incoming Trump administration is set to shape the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the United States with a wave of key appointments and nominations. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, crypto advocates are hopeful that the new leadership will take a friendlier stance toward the industry, marking a departure from years of lawsuits and enforcement actions.
Among the prominent appointees, billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, slated to be Treasury Secretary, has voiced strong support for crypto, calling it “about freedom.” Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, who leads Cantor Fitzgerald, is an active bitcoin proponent, while Elon Musk, heading the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has a well-documented history of championing cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, will work alongside Musk at DOGE, with a focus on integrating bitcoin into broader investment portfolios.
David Sacks, a former PayPal executive and crypto investor, was named the administration’s AI and crypto czar, tasked with creating a long-sought legal framework for digital assets. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and members of the Trump family, including Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Barron Trump, have also signalled strong support for cryptocurrency, further solidifying the administration’s pro-crypto stance. With SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins advocating for deregulation, the industry is optimistic about a more innovation-friendly approach.
The Trump administration’s apparent focus on fostering a robust US crypto industry has already garnered attention, including a sold-out crypto-themed ball in Washington. While critics voice concerns about conflicts of interest and regulatory gaps, supporters believe these appointments could position the US as a global leader in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
A recent survey by CryptoQuant reveals that a significant portion of the cryptocurrency market is made up of younger, well-educated investors, with over 60% of participants aged between 25 and 44. The survey also highlighted that nearly half of crypto investors hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and most invest less than $10,000 annually, showing that retail investors are the dominant force in the market.
Binance emerged as the preferred exchange for 53% of respondents, with the platform also being the most profitable for many, with 51% of users reporting their largest gains through it. Other platforms like Bybit and OKX were popular among full-time traders, while Coinbase and Kraken were favoured by part-time investors. Regionally, Binance leads in Asia, Africa, and South America, while Coinbase remains the top choice in North America.
Bitcoin continues to be the most sought-after cryptocurrency, followed by Ethereum and other assets like Solana and XRP. The survey underscores the growing confidence in blue-chip cryptocurrencies, with investors focusing on established projects to limit risk.
Arweave, a decentralised data storage company, has sent its ‘Genesis Block’ to the moon in collaboration with Iridia and LifeShup. The mission, announced on 15 January, involved launching encrypted data and cryptocurrencies aboard a space capsule using Iridia’s synthetic DNA-based storage technology and LifeShup’s lunar landing craft. The groundbreaking venture highlights the potential of permissionless networks like Arweave in pioneering new storage innovations.
Founded in 2017, Arweave aims to provide affordable permanent storage for global knowledge and history. The moon mission, which also included Artificial Super Intelligence Alliance tokens, is a step toward safeguarding digital assets and knowledge for future generations. The stable environment of the moon and advancements in nanotechnology will help preserve this data for millennia, according to the companies involved.
Sam Williams, Arweave’s CEO, expressed excitement about the collaboration, which underscores the growing capabilities of decentralised storage networks, while Iridia’s VP, Buck Watia, highlighted the mission’s significance in preserving information beyond time and space.
Indonesia is making waves in the global Web3 revolution with its rapid adoption of cryptocurrency and a young, tech-savvy population. Ranked third in the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, Indonesia recorded 157 billion dollars in crypto inflows between 2023 and 2024. With nearly 200% year-on-year market growth, the country’s decentralised exchange transactions surpass global averages, reflecting the population’s enthusiasm for digital assets.
The Indonesian government’s support has been a key driver of this growth. Cryptocurrencies were recently reclassified as digital financial assets, a move expected to enhance transparency and investor protection under the Financial Services Authority’s oversight. Meanwhile, crypto is reshaping sectors like e-commerce and remittances, saving Indonesians millions yearly and boosting financial accessibility.
Despite its impressive rise, challenges remain. With less than 8% of the population actively using crypto, significant room exists for growth. Addressing cultural and ethical considerations, including Shariah-compliant financial tools and education initiatives, could unlock this potential. By embracing tailored solutions and fostering partnerships between blockchain and traditional finance, Indonesia is poised to cement its leadership in the Web3 economy.
Brazilian neobank Nubank has introduced a fixed 4% annual return for users holding the USDC stablecoin in their crypto wallets. The largest digital bank in Latin America, which serves over 85 million customers across Brazil and 6 million in Mexico and Colombia, launched the feature after testing it with a select group of users.
To qualify for the return, customers need to hold a minimum of 10 USDC in their wallets, with returns credited daily. The feature can be activated or deactivated at any time through the Nubank app, and users can access their funds instantly. The neobank chose USDC for its growing popularity, with the stablecoin making up 30% of crypto users’ portfolios and more than half of new Nubank Crypto users selecting it as their first digital asset.
Nubank continues to expand its crypto offerings, including a recent addition of a crypto swap tool for trading popular digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Uniswap for USDC. However, not all of the bank’s crypto initiatives have gone smoothly, as seen with the abrupt halt of its Nucoin token trading in September 2024 to protect users from market volatility.
The Bank of England (BoE) has announced plans to launch a new initiative called the “Digital Pound Lab” in 2025, aimed at testing the potential for a central bank digital currency (CBDC), commonly known as a digital pound. This sandbox project will focus on developing blockchain-powered payment systems and exploring use cases and business models for a digital currency. The BoE aims to collaborate with both local and international financial players to address challenges in the current payment ecosystem.
Despite the initiative, no final decision has been made regarding the introduction of a digital pound. The BoE’s report clarified that the central bank and HM Treasury will first work on developing a detailed policy and technology framework, based on feedback gathered during the design phase. The process could take several years before any conclusions are drawn.
The BoE has closed its previous Technology Forum to make way for the Digital Pound Lab, which will take a more active, hands-on approach to consulting with industry participants. However, even if the lab progresses, the digital pound would still require approval from the UK Parliament, followed by public consultation and legislation before any official rollout.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering approving exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest directly in Bitcoin, aiming to expand its growing cryptocurrency market. This decision, reported on 15 January, reflects Thailand’s efforts to keep pace with nations like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US, which are advancing in cryptocurrency regulation and innovation.
The move comes as the country experiences a surge in crypto trading activity. As of November 2024, active trading accounts more than doubled to 270,000 compared to the previous month. Acknowledging the sector’s importance, SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon stated that the goal is to provide investors with diverse crypto options under proper regulatory protections.
Thailand is also exploring broader crypto adoption initiatives. Alongside potential Bitcoin ETFs, the SEC is evaluating the issuance of stablecoins backed by corporate bonds to improve access to debt markets. Meanwhile, the government continues to tackle illegal operations, such as the recent closure of an unauthorised Bitcoin mining farm in Chonburi.
In addition, a pilot project proposed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra aims to introduce Bitcoin payments in Phuket, particularly for tourists. With such developments, Thailand hopes to position itself as a leading hub in the Asia-Pacific region for crypto innovation.
