Month: January 2026

Coinbase begins backend testing of new USDF stablecoin

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Coinbase is testing a new stablecoin called USDF on its exchange backend, the company said on Tuesday through its Coinbase Markets account. The token has been enabled for operational testing only, with trading, deposits, and withdrawals currently unavailable. A new Coinbase Custom Stablecoin, USDF, has been enabled on Coinbase Exchange for operational testing. Please note: This is a backend test phase only. Trading, deposits, and withdrawals are currently unavailable. Stay tuned for more updates. — Coinbase Markets 🛡️ (@CoinbaseMarkets) January 27, 2026 The backend test marks an early phase of…

US probes Venezuela crypto ties amid $60 billion Bitcoin speculations

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US officials are scrutinizing potential assets linked to the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela, with digital assets among the areas under review, according to Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets. Witt told CoinDesk in a recent interview that the situation is still developing and multiple national security teams are engaged. He declined to provide specifics on any actions taken so far. “Folks are talking, they’re looking at the situation overall, how the Maduro regime was financed, and where some of those assets, whether…

Kalshi Expands Political Footprint with DC Office, Democratic Hire

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The predictions market platform announced two new hires related to state policy efforts and relations with the federal government. Predictions market platform Kalshi said it will open an office in Washington, D.C., and hire “talent from both sides of the aisle” as part of the company’s efforts to expand its US footprint. In a Monday notice, Kalshi said it had hired former Biden administration official John Bivona as the prediction market’s head of federal government relations, and Blake Bee, a former Amazon senior manager of state and local public policy.…

Privacy Blockchains Seek Stablecoin Access as USDC Expands

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Circle has introduced a privacy-focused version of its USDC stablecoin on Aleo, highlighting a broader push by privacy-oriented blockchains to gain access to regulated, dollar-backed assets as demand for onchain privacy tools grows. Circle and Aleo announced Tuesday that USDCx on Aleo is now available via Circle’s xReserve, a reserve-backed issuance model that allows USDC (USDC) to be represented on additional blockchains without relying on third-party bridges.  USDCx on Aleo is fully backed by USDC held in xReserve and is interoperable with USDC across other supported networks, including Ethereum and…

Ripple’s GTreasury launches treasury platform for digital assets

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GTreasury, a Ripple-owned company and global leader in treasury management systems, has launched Ripple Treasury, a unified treasury platform designed to modernize cash and liquidity management for global enterprises. Today, we’re proud to introduce Ripple Treasury, Powered by GTreasury: the world’s first comprehensive treasury platform combining 40 years of proven enterprise expertise with cutting-edge digital asset infrastructure. Many finance teams are stuck managing growing complexity… pic.twitter.com/4scNUggARS — GTreasury (@GTreasury) January 27, 2026 The solution combines traditional treasury functions with enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure, helping finance teams streamline operations through AI-powered…

Corning shares surge over 16% after Meta signs $6B data center deal

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Corning shares jumped more than 16% to a record high after the company announced a multiyear agreement with Meta Platforms valued at up to $6 billion to support the expansion of advanced data centers in the United States. Under the deal, Corning will supply Meta with its latest optical fiber, cable, and connectivity technologies designed to meet the scale and density requirements of next-generation AI data centers. Meta will serve as an anchor customer as Corning expands manufacturing capacity across North Carolina, including a significant expansion at its optical cable…

Mesh raises $75M Series C to Expand Crypto Payments Network

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Mesh, a San Francisco–based crypto payments infrastructure company, raised $75 million in a Series C funding round led by Dragonfly Capital, bringing its total funding to more than $200 million and valuing the company at $1 billion. The round included participation from Paradigm, Moderne Ventures, SBI Investment, Coinbase Ventures and Liberty City Ventures, according to an announcement on Tuesday. Mesh said a portion of raised funds was settled using stablecoins rather than traditional banking rails. Mesh will use the funds to expand its crypto payments network across regions including Latin America,…

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF becomes available on Morgan Stanley E*TRADE platform

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Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF is now available on Morgan Stanley’s E*TRADE trading platform, expanding access to regulated Bitcoin exposure for financial advisors and their clients across the US. The listing opens the fund to a network of advisors managing more than $7.4 trillion in assets under management on Morgan Stanley’s platform, marking a significant distribution milestone for Grayscale. Grayscale chief executive Peter Mintzberg said the listing represents a major step forward for both the firm and the broader digital asset market, highlighting it as another signal of rising institutional…

UK Avoids ‘US Malaise’ as FCA Finalizes Rules

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The UK’s top financial regulator is finalizing its framework for the crypto industry. The rulemaking process has been long, but industry observers note that the country has avoided the political tit-for-tat that is hampering the US CLARITY Act. On Jan. 23, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released its final consultation. The public may now comment on its suggested framework, consisting of 10 regulatory proposals. The three-year process is expected to reach a conclusion in March, with full implementation by October 2027. The proposed rules have gone through multiple iterations since…

Pinterest stock tumbles as company cuts jobs to accelerate AI adoption

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Shares of Pinterest (PINS) dropped 9.5% intraday today after the company announced a board-approved global restructuring plan that will cut less than 15% of its workforce and reduce office space. The San Francisco-based social media company expects to incur $35 million to $45 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, primarily cash-related expenditures, according to a new SEC filing. Pinterest said the layoffs are part of a broader transformation strategy focused on AI. While reducing overall staffing levels in the near term, the company plans to reinvest in key development areas and…