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25 Jan 2026, 13:59

South Korean regulators launch regulatory scrutiny of xAI chatbot Grok

The Korean government is looking towards regulatory actions against the generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot of Elon Musk-owned xAI, Grok. This follows several criticisms directed at the chatbot and its involvement in generating and distributing sexually exploitative deepfake images. The information was reported by a local news outlet, the Electronic Times, which mentioned that the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has launched a preliminary fact-finding review into Grok after the allegations were reported in the county by several individuals. The preliminary process is to confirm if the violation actually occurred and whether the matter is within its jurisdiction before a formal investigation can be launched. The Korean government to conduct a review into Grok According to reports , the review follows several reports that surfaced locally and overseas, accusing Grok of being used to create explicit and nonconsensual deepfake images, with most of them involving real individuals and minors. With this, the PICP will reportedly determine its next course of action after reviewing the explanation provided by Grok and other supporting documents. The agency is also expected to review global regulatory trends, which would shape its decision-making. Under the Personal Information Protection Act, altering or generating sexual images of identifiable individuals without consent may constitute unlawful handling of personal data. The AI chatbots, which are integrated into the social platform X and offer both text and image generation on the platform, have faced several criticisms over the creation of fake images of real people since last year. The chatbot has been used to create all sorts of compromising images, which have been frowned upon by the general public. According to the global nongovernmental organization Center for Countering Digital Hate, Grok is estimated to have been used to generate more than three million sexually explicit images between December 29, 2025, and January 8, 2026. The organization claims that among that number, more than 23,000 were images of minors generated using the chatbot. The center warned that the rapid spread of Grok’s AI-generated images has led to a large-scale circulation of explicit content online. The regulator wants a report on measures taken to curb the menace The center has also warned about the serious safety risks that the development poses to children. As a result of this menace, countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and some others have launched investigations , while countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia have blocked access to Grok. In response to the controversy, xAI announced earlier this year that it had implemented certain technical measures to prevent it. The platform claimed that it has stopped both free and paid users from editing or generating images of real people, adding that it would announce further safeguards very soon. In Korea, the Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) demanded stronger youth protection measures from X on January 14. The Korean regulator told the social media platform that its AI firm needs to come up with a plan to prevent the generation of illegal or harmful content. In addition, the regulator also added that the company needs to limit minors’ access to such content. Currently, X has a designated youth protection officer in Korea in accordance with the law and submits annual reports on related compliance. KMCC has urged the platform to submit additional documentation regarding Grok’s safety protocol, noting that nonconsensual sexual images created and distributed on its platform, especially involving minors, are a criminal offense in Korea. The commission has set a deadline of two weeks. If X fails to respond or ignores the request, it may impose an administrative fine of up to 10 million won ($6,870). The same move has been witnessed in other countries, where xAI has been tasked with coming up with measures to curb the rise of the menace. Like Korea, the countries have also announced substantial fines if the company fails to devise and submit a report showing the steps it has taken to limit the rise in the menace. Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.

25 Jan 2026, 13:55

From Boom to Whimper: Bitcoin Slides Into Bearish Territory

It’s a tightrope walk in the crypto circus today as bitcoin teeters just above a crucial support zone, drawing both skeptics and hopeful scalpers to the ring. With a market that can’t decide if it wants to bounce or break, let’s dive into the technicals—where the drama is live and the signals are twitchy. Bitcoin

25 Jan 2026, 13:45

Shiba Inu Price Prediction: Can SHIB Rally After 26.47 Billion Token Exchange Inflow?

Shiba Inu has captured market attention following a substantial price movement. On-chain data shows that over 26.47 billion SHIB tokens entered exchanges in the past 24 hours. The scale of this transfer marks a notable shift in the asset's behavior. Exchange inflows typically signal bearish sentiment. Investors often interpret such movements as preparation for selling. However, the current situation presents a more nuanced picture. Netflow metrics remained relatively stable despite the massive inflow spike. This suggests strategic repositioning rather than panic-driven liquidation. Network Metrics Point to Growing Engagement Transaction counts have risen steadily across the Shiba Inu network. The increase indicates genuine network activity rather than declining interest. Active addresses have also climbed, demonstrating that participation extends beyond isolated whale movements. The data reveals broad-based engagement. Multiple wallets are contributing to the heightened activity levels. This pattern differs significantly from scenarios where a handful of large holders dominate movements. Wider distribution of activity generally supports healthier long-term price dynamics. Exchange reserves remain elevated when measured in token quantities. However, the USD value of these reserves has trended downward. This divergence stems from price compression rather than aggressive distribution. The distinction matters for understanding underlying market mechanics. Technical Position Reflects Transitional Phase Average inflow and outflow metrics have both increased. This balanced rise suggests active repositioning on both sides of the market. Bulls have not yet established clear dominance. The asset continues trading below key long-term moving averages. Price action has formed higher lows in recent sessions. The pattern indicates weakening downward momentum. Consolidation has tightened, creating a narrowing range. These technical characteristics often precede significant directional moves. Capital flow patterns reveal the primary challenge. Recent inflow spikes have faded quickly. The market has produced shallow retracements instead of sustained rallies. Consistent capital deployment remains absent. Brief bursts of activity have not translated into momentum continuation. At the time of writing, SHIB trades at around $0.00000776, down 1.22% in the last 24 hours. .

25 Jan 2026, 13:39

'Areas to Watch BTC Are…' Top Analyst Reveals Where Recovery Might Happen

A top analyst has revealed the most important levels for the future of Bitcoin and for those aiming for purchases.

25 Jan 2026, 13:36

Whales Are Continuing To Dump Chainlink And Cardano For This Future Top 10 Crypto

Large holders are quietly shifting positions today as market priorities change. Recent on-chain activity shows whales reducing exposure to Chainlink and Cardano while reallocating into a newer payments-focused token many now describe as a future top 10 crypto. This rotation is not random. It reflects frustration with slow price movement and delayed catalysts across older networks. This new future top 10 crypto is gaining rapid traction as supply tightens and real products go live. With capital moving early, whales appear to be positioning ahead of what they see as the next major payments breakout in 2026. Why Whales Are Reducing Exposure To Chainlink And Cardano Chainlink currently trades at $12.19 with a market cap of $8.6 billion, and daily trading volume near $183 million, yet price action has remained compressed. Despite its importance in Oracle infrastructure , recent weeks have shown limited promise of a surge. LINK charts point to repeated rejections near resistance, keeping LINK locked in a narrow range. Analysts tracking on-chain flows have noted declining large wallet accumulation, suggesting whales are rotating rather than adding. Cardano shows a similar pattern. With the price at $0.35, a market cap of around $12.9 billion, and daily volume above $225 million, Cardano remains liquid but lacks near-term acceleration. Network upgrades continue, but many are long-term focused and slow to impact price. RSI levels remain neutral, and the price sits below key moving averages. Chainlink and Cardano remain strong networks, but slow momentum and delayed price drivers are prompting whales to rotate capital elsewhere. Why Whales Are Accumulating Remittix Aggressively As whales exit Chainlink and Cardano, Remittix is becoming the clear destination. Unlike legacy networks still building toward adoption, Remittix is already executing on a payments-focused model aimed at a $19 trillion global remittance market. This is a key reason it is increasingly described as a future top 10 crypto. Demand is now visible in the numbers. Remittix has sold over 700 million of its 750 million token allocation, pushing it past 93% sold. At $0.123, more than $28.8 million has been raised, and supply is running out fast. This scarcity is driving urgency, with investors openly calling Remittix the next XRP-style opportunity in payments. Trust is another major factor behind whale confidence. Remittix is fully verified by CertiK and ranked #1 on CertiK Skynet among pre-launch tokens, supported by a Skynet Score of 80.09 (Grade A) from over 24,000 community ratings. The team has completed full KYC, secured listings on BitMart and LBANK, and confirmed a third exchange listing. These milestones remove risk and explain the accelerating inflows. Also, the Remittix Wallet is live on the Apple App Store, allowing users to store and manage assets today. The full Remittix platform launches on 9 February 2026, which will unlock all features fully. Combined with a 15% USDT referral program, Remittix stands out as a crypto solving real-world problems with momentum building fast. Core features drawing increased attention to Remittix: Solving a real-world $19 trillion cross-border payments problem Utility first token model built around real transaction volume Deflationary tokenomics with growth potential Global payout rails are expanding, with a focus on key remittance corridors Built for adoption rather than short-term speculation Where Smart Money Is Positioning Next The ongoing exit from Chainlink and Cardano is not a rejection of those networks, but a strategic move toward faster growth and clearer catalysts. Whales are positioning early where supply is tight, products are live, and adoption is measurable, and Remittix checks all those boxes. With over 93% of tokens already sold, a confirmed platform launch date, strong security validation, and accelerating demand, Remittix is no longer under the radar. Investors racing to secure what many believe could be the next XRP-style payments leader understand one thing clearly: the window is closing, and whales have already moved. Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their project here: Website: https://remittix.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix Frequently Asked Questions Why are whales reducing exposure to Chainlink and Cardano? Whales are trimming Chainlink and Cardano positions due to prolonged price consolidation and a lack of near-term catalysts. While both networks remain fundamentally strong, slower momentum is pushing large holders to rotate capital into faster-moving crypto opportunities. Why is Remittix being called a future top 10 crypto? Remittix is gaining attention for its real-world payments focus, rapidly selling token supply, and progress toward crypto-to-fiat adoption. With over 93% of tokens sold, strong funding, and verified security credentials, many investors see it as a scalable payments token with top-tier potential. What milestones are driving whale accumulation of Remittix right now? Key milestones include CertiK verification, multiple confirmed exchange listings, a live wallet, and a full PayFi platform launch scheduled for 9 February 2026. Combined with deflationary tokenomics and exposure to the $19 trillion remittance market, these factors are accelerating whale interest in RTX.

25 Jan 2026, 13:32

Binance CEO CZ says holding crypto long-term beats most trading strategies

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao say s si mply holding crypto long-term works better than most trading tactics. In remarks that are rippling through market forums and social platforms, CZ underscored his belief that frequent trading rarely delivers better returns than holding core assets like Bitcoin or BNB over the long term. On X, he commented, “I’ve seen many different trading strategies over the years; very few can beat the simple ‘buy and hold’, which is what I do. Not financial advice.” His remarks come a few days after he spoke on his incarceration and the opaque pardon process at the World Economic Forum . CZ doubles down on HODL strategy as Bitcoin eyes historic supercycle CZ’s message has gotten backing among some. However, one X user pushed back , saying buy-and-hold only works in rising markets, noting that many who held assets since Trump took office are down nearly 90%. Another user argued that buy-and-hold only works when you’re purchasing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB, not other altcoins. Anothe r in support of CZ’s view commented , “Buy and hold” isn’t lazy; it’s the only strategy that lets time do the heavy lifting for you. Most people trade their way to zero, while the ones who “do nothing” are the ones who actually build wealth.” Meanwhile, speaking on Friday in a CNBC interview, CZ also predicte d Bi tcoin could break its historic cycle as governments around the world adopt more crypto-friendly stances. In response to Squawk Box’s Andrew Ross Sorkin’s question over his forecast for BTC this year, he remarked, “If you are looking at today, tomorrow, on a daily basis, there’s no way I can predict. If you look at the five ten-year horizons, it’s very easy to predict. We’re going to go up.” When asked if he supported ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood’s bold Bitcoin forecast of between $300,00 and $1.5 million by 2030, he said he shares the optimism, adding that he believes a supercycle is likely this year. He explained that with the U.S. taking a pro-crypto stance and other countries following suit, Bitcoin is likely to break its four-year cycle. Bitcoin has typically followed a four-year cycle, rallying strongly more than a year after each halving — with the next one anticipated in April 2028 and possible highs toward late 2029. CZ encouraged countries to take on crypto asset tokenization During a Thursday panel at WEF Davos 2026, CZ shared that he’s been talking with around a dozen nations about asset tokenization , but declined to specify which assets or countries. He added that the projects would help countries raise capital by selling small stakes in state-owned assets to citizens or investors, much as in past privatizations of oil or telecom companies. He also insisted that the global shift toward crypto-friendly policies is good news for digital assets and for the United States. Zhao also said he’s keeping active, building Giggle Academy, and contributing to YZi Labs alongside other projects. Additionally, he noted that his role in the BNB Chain ecosystem is primarily mentorship, adding, “I just mentor them,” though he holds minority shares. Moreover, in his interview with Sorkin, he also shared that the pardon from President Trump helped ease a long-standing psychological strain following his four-month sentence. In 2023, Zhao admitted that Binance failed to implement proper anti-money laundering controls and resigned as CEO as part of a broad settlement with U.S. regulators. He said he wasn’t expecting to serve time behind bars, based on how similar cases had been handled previously, describing his prison sentence as brutal. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.