Crypto News Round-Up — January 2026

The crypto landscape remains active as we start 2026, with new regulations, product launches, and security incidents shaping the market. This roundup highlights key developments from the past week across policy, exchanges, DeFi, and token adoption.

• Turkmenistan legalizes crypto mining and exchanges
• Coinbase gains EU banking license
• Visa plans new stablecoin
• Large DeFi hack on Ethereum
• Crypto ETFs signal mainstream adoption
• Brazil updates crypto regulations
• JPMorgan expands crypto services

Turkmenistan legalizes crypto mining and exchanges

In a significant policy shift, Turkmenistan has legalized cryptocurrency mining and the operation of crypto exchanges (AP News). Under the new law signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, digital assets now fall under civil regulatory oversight and crypto firms must be licensed by the central bank. The legislation does not recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender or securities, but analysts say it is intended to modernize the economy despite Turkmenistan’s strict internet censorship.

Observers note this move follows other recent reforms (like the 2025 e-visa system) aimed at opening the economy, even as Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most closed societies. The country’s energy-rich economy and low electricity costs could attract mining operations, but limited internet access may constrain widespread crypto usage. (AP News)

Why it matters:

• Shows that even highly restrictive governments are beginning to regulate crypto markets.
• Turkmenistan’s abundant and cheap power could draw cryptocurrency miners, boosting global mining capacity.
• Highlights the tension between crypto adoption and the country’s heavy internet censorship, meaning actual uptake may be limited.

Coinbase gains EU banking license

Crypto exchange Coinbase announced it has obtained a banking license from French regulators (Reuters). The license will allow Coinbase’s European unit to hold customer deposits in euros and issue IBAN bank accounts, essentially enabling it to operate under EU financial rules. Coinbase says this step will help it expand services to European clients while complying with upcoming regulations.

Analysts say the banking license could increase trust among European users and bring crypto exchanges closer to traditional financial systems. The move is seen as part of wider efforts in Europe to integrate crypto into regulated frameworks (Reuters). By combining crypto services with a formal banking license, Coinbase may set a precedent for other exchanges seeking to upgrade their credibility.

Why it matters:

• Integrates crypto services with traditional banking, which can build customer trust and improve security.
• May encourage other crypto platforms to seek banking licenses, raising industry compliance standards.
• Signals regulators’ willingness to bring crypto firms into established financial systems, potentially easing cross-border operations.

Visa plans new stablecoin

Payment giant Visa announced plans to launch a new stablecoin to improve cross-border transactions (Reuters). The proposed stablecoin would be pegged to the US dollar and circulate on Visa’s blockchain network to settle payments instantly between partners. Visa executives say the project, still pending regulatory approval, reflects blockchain’s potential to make global payments faster and cheaper.

Industry analysts note that integrating a regulated stablecoin could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of international transfers. Visa’s initiative follows a similar stablecoin project at Mastercard, highlighting a trend of legacy payment networks embracing crypto technology (Reuters). Experts caution that the stablecoin will need oversight and compliance like any financial system, but if approved it could dramatically streamline cross-border remittances.

Why it matters:

• Shows established payment networks are adopting blockchain to modernize global transactions.
• A USD-backed stablecoin could dramatically reduce the cost and time of cross-border payments on Visa’s network.
• Marks further blurring of lines between traditional finance and crypto, as big firms pursue on-chain settlement solutions.

Large DeFi hack on Ethereum

Security researchers reported a major exploit on January 2 in which an attacker drained roughly $50 million from an Ethereum-based DeFi protocol (Cointelegraph). The hacker exploited a vulnerability in the platform’s smart contract, using a flash loan to manipulate prices and siphon funds from liquidity pools. The affected protocol’s team has since paused the compromised contracts and is working with blockchain forensic specialists, but a significant amount of crypto was stolen.

Blockchain analysts tracked the stolen funds as they were moved through mixers to obscure their origin. Some centralized exchanges have been alerted to freeze related assets, and law enforcement is now involved. The incident is one of the largest DeFi hacks so far in 2026. While token prices on the platform fell briefly, the wider market saw only minimal impact as investors have grown wary of such risks (Cointelegraph).

Why it matters:

• Demonstrates that smart contract vulnerabilities still pose major threats to DeFi users.
• Likely to prompt protocols to invest more in security audits and insurance to protect users’ funds.
• Gives regulators ammunition to push for stricter oversight of decentralized finance platforms to protect consumers.

Crypto ETFs signal mainstream adoption

Multiple new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have launched recently, pointing to growing mainstream acceptance (Bloomberg). For example, Bloomberg reports the first US spot Ethereum ETF began trading, attracting substantial inflows on its debut. In Europe, a major asset manager introduced a new bitcoin fund after regulatory approval. These ETFs make it easier for traditional investors to gain crypto exposure, fueling further capital inflows and broadening market liquidity.

Bloomberg also notes that large financial firms are preparing additional crypto funds for 2026, building on last year’s wave of ETF approvals. The high inflows into these products suggest strong institutional demand. As crypto ETFs enter retirement accounts and brokerage platforms, digital assets are reaching a wider range of investors. This trend reflects crypto’s gradual integration into conventional investment portfolios, though it also underscores the need for regulatory oversight.

Why it matters:

• ETFs open crypto investments to a wider range of investors, boosting market liquidity and legitimacy.
• Large inflows into these products suggest strong institutional demand for digital assets.
• As mainstream fund houses offer crypto ETFs, digital currencies gain foothold in traditional financial portfolios.

Brazil updates crypto regulations

Brazil’s government is moving forward with new cryptocurrency regulations to foster market growth (Bloomberg). The legislation, recently passed by Congress, will allow crypto exchanges to operate legally under financial oversight by the central bank. Exchanges will need to register and comply with anti-money-laundering rules. Officials say this framework will provide clarity and security for investors and could help make Brazil a regional crypto hub.

Brazil already has one of the fastest-growing crypto markets in Latin America, and supporters of the law say formal rules will enable innovation while curbing illicit activity. Bloomberg quotes a finance ministry official saying the country can now offer legal certainty for blockchain businesses. This puts Brazil ahead of some neighbors in formalizing crypto use, though the law stops short of recognizing cryptocurrencies as legal tender.

Why it matters:

• Recognizes crypto services within Brazil’s legal framework, potentially making the country a blockchain leader in Latin America.
• Sets clearer rules for investors and exchanges, which could stimulate innovation and ensure safer markets.
• May inspire regulatory efforts in neighboring countries, as Brazil moves ahead on crypto oversight.

JPMorgan expands crypto services

JPMorgan Chase, one of Wall Street’s largest banks, announced an expansion of its cryptocurrency offerings (CoinDesk). The bank reported record volumes of crypto trades executed on behalf of institutional clients in late 2025 and said it will begin allowing wealth-management customers to invest in bitcoin and other digital assets. JPMorgan is also using blockchain technology to settle certain payments on its private network, aiming to speed up cross-border transactions.

According to Coindesk, JPMorgan’s moves mark a significant shift in its strategy. The bank’s wealth management arm will integrate digital assets into client portfolios, while its Interbank Information Network is being used to experiment with tokenized currencies for international payments. By investing in its own blockchain infrastructure, JPMorgan is helping test crypto’s efficiency in traditional finance, drawing more institutional clout into the market (CoinDesk).

Why it matters:

• Signals growing institutional acceptance of crypto, as a leading bank rolls out services to its clients.
• Using blockchain for internal settlement could improve speed and transparency of cross-border payments.
• May encourage other large banks to advance their own crypto plans, expanding the market’s reach.

Investor reminder: Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. This round-up is informational only and not investment advice. Always research thoroughly and consider your risk tolerance before making any financial decisions.

Bottom Line

The latest developments show that cryptocurrencies continue blending into mainstream finance and policy. Governments are enacting regulations, banks and payment networks are building crypto services, and more investment vehicles are coming online. At the same time, security incidents remind us that risks remain high. The bottom line: the crypto sector is evolving rapidly, offering new opportunities but also requiring caution and due diligence from investors.