Coinbase has received regulatory approval to operate in Argentina, securing a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from the National Securities Commission. The approval allows the exchange to offer its services within Argentina’s virtual asset framework, marking a significant step in its global expansion.
With inflation soaring and the local currency struggling, cryptocurrency adoption has surged in Argentina. Around 5 million Argentinians use crypto daily, viewing it as a tool to protect their wealth and access global financial markets. A recent Coinbase survey found that 87% of locals see digital assets as a way to enhance economic independence.
Coinbase’s operations in Argentina will be led by fintech expert Matías Alberti. The company plans to combine trading services with educational initiatives to help users navigate the risks and benefits of crypto. The company has highlighted security and compliance as key priorities, aiming to build trust in a market where financial stability remains a major concern.
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.
Crypto.com has expanded its services by launching a new platform aimed at institutional investors in the United States. Announced on 21 January, the platform offers advanced trading solutions designed to strengthen the company’s presence in the US market. It complements the existing Crypto.com App, which focuses on retail traders, and offers access to over 300 cryptocurrencies, 480 trading pairs, and features such as advanced order types and automated trading tools.
The platform is tailored to support high-frequency and large-volume trading, with tools like trading bots and sub-account options for active traders. It also allows users to fund accounts via Fedwire transfers and supports low-latency trading and OTC services. Crypto.com’s push into the institutional market follows the ongoing regulatory shifts under the Trump administration, which have brought greater clarity to the cryptocurrency sector.
In addition to this new platform, Crypto.com has recently expanded its US operations by launching the Crypto.com Custody Trust Company and introducing stock and ETF trading for select users. Following meetings between CEO Kris Marszalek and President Trump, the company also withdrew its lawsuit against the SEC. The SEC has since established a crypto task force to develop a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank, has made headlines by purchasing 11 Bitcoins for €1 million, marking a significant step in the nation’s financial history. The investment makes it the first Italian bank to directly acquire cryptocurrency, setting a potential precedent for others in the country’s financial sector.
Confirmation of the purchase came after an internal email from the bank was leaked online, reportedly signed by Niccolò Bardoscia, head of its Trading and Investment division for Digital Assets. However, the bank has refrained from commenting on its motivations or whether this move signals a broader strategy involving digital assets.
This investment aligns with the bank’s ongoing exploration of blockchain technologies. Intesa Sanpaolo previously underwrote a €25 million blockchain bond in July 2024 and introduced cryptocurrency spot trading last November. As global institutions increasingly embrace Bitcoin, this move solidifies the bank’s role as a leader in digital asset adoption within Europe.
Tether, the leading stablecoin issuer, has announced plans to establish its headquarters in El Salvador, making it the company’s first physical base. CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed that he, along with the company’s cofounders, will also move their residences to the Central American nation. This decision follows Tether’s licensing as a digital asset service provider in the country.
While most of Tether’s staff will remain remote, the firm aims to hire 100 Salvadorans over the next few years. El Salvador has positioned itself as a hub for cryptocurrency innovation since adopting Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. President Nayib Bukele welcomed Tether’s decision, further cementing the nation’s role in global crypto adoption.
Tether’s USDT stablecoin accounts for two-thirds of the $212 billion stablecoin market, but regulatory scrutiny around stablecoins remains high. The company claims its reserves are primarily held with Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald, as questions about transparency persist. Tether’s move to El Salvador signals its confidence in the country’s supportive crypto ecosystem amid growing global interest in digital assets.
