hodler

19 Jan 2026, 13:55

Hacker behind $282M BTC–LTC theft begins actively laundering funds

The attacker who looted more than $282 million worth of Bitcoin and Litecoin last week is on the move. In the fresh play, the attacker was spotted on-chain shifting funds across multiple blockchains. Around 928.7 Bitcoin (approximately worth $71 million) was bridged using Thorchain to Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin. However, the transfers converted those Bitcoins into 19,631 Ether, 3.15 million XRP, and 77,200 Litecoin. This comes in when the global digital assets market printed red indexes all around as geopolitical tension broke investors’ mood. The cumulative crypto market cap dipped by almost 3% in the last 24 hours to dip below $3.15 trillion. Bitcoin price got dragged back to the $93K level after trading above $95K for around one week. Stolen crypto hits Tornado According to PeckShieldAlert data , parts of the stolen funds have been routed through mixing services and centralized exchanges. Roughly 1,468 Ether (approximately worth $5 million) was sent through Tornado Cash . Another 735 ETH (worth $2.4 million) was transferred to WhiteBit, while 2,402 ETH (approximately worth $8 million) moved to KuCoin. Smaller amounts like 100 ETH and 143 ETH were sent to ChangeNOW and Huobi, respectively. Ethereum price has dropped by around 3% in the last 24 hours. It is still running up by more than 2% over the last 7 days. ETH is trading at an average price of $3,230 at press time. January 10 saw a victim lose $282 million worth of Bitcoin and Litecoin in what investigators described as a hardware wallet social engineering scam . ZachXBT was the first one to report the incident. He informed that the theft occurred around 23:00 UTC. This involved more than 1,459 Bitcoins and about 2.05 million Litecoin moved from victim-controlled addresses. On January 10, 2026 at around 11 pm UTC a victim lost $282M+ worth of LTC & BTC due to a hardware wallet social engineering scam. The attacker began converting the stolen LTC & BTC to Monero via multiple instant exchanges causing the XMR price to sharply increase. BTC was also… — ZachXBT (@zachxbt) January 16, 2026 The on-chain sleuth stated that the attacker also converted large amounts of the stolen BTC and LTC into Monero through instant swap services. That activity coincided with a sharp rise in the price of XMR shortly after the theft. Hack-linked swaps push Monero Monero price rallied strongly in the days following the incident. XMR rose about 70% over four days after the January 10 transfers. Earlier this week, XMR hit an all-time high near $798. It climbed nearly 80% from a recent low around $450. Monero price has jumped by another 8% in the last 24 hours after a few days of slump. It is trading at an average price of $630 at the press time. ZachXBT said the swaps linked to the stolen funds likely contributed to part of the price move. He added that the conversion activity created sudden buying pressure across thin liquidity venues. One wallet identified by the sleuth appeared to act as a consolidation address holding about $43.7 million worth of Bitcoin. The wallet received roughly ten high-value transfers ranging between 39 and 47 BTC. This was backed by other smaller transactions. Those funds were later sent to another address after passing through an intermediate wallet. Meanwhile, there is no clear on-chain evidence that these specific funds were swapped into Monero. A second address flagged by ZachXBT received more than 1,108 BTC worth about $105 million. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

19 Jan 2026, 13:53

283,000,000,000 SHIB in 24 Hours: Shiba Inu is Getting Siphoned

Shiba Inu is moving away from exchanges at a rapid pace, which could be a sign of an upcoming retrace.

19 Jan 2026, 13:51

Crypto Rally Fades as Geopolitical Risks Re-Enter Focus: Laser Digital

Cryptocurrency markets began last week on firm footing supported by aggressive institutional buying and continued inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Bitcoin finally broke above the closely watched $95,000 resistance level after multiple failed attempts in recent weeks rallying into a $97,000–$98,000 range. The move was triggered by sustained demand from large corporate buyers such as MicroStrategy alongside improving sentiment around regulated investment vehicles, according to Laser Digital. https://t.co/mVOAe2rKlG — Laser Digital (@LaserDigital_) January 19, 2026 Despite the bullish breakout momentum proved difficult to maintain. As the week progressed buying pressure eased and prices began to consolidate around the $95,000 level suggesting the rally had become increasingly vulnerable to macro-driven shocks. Tariff Headlines Trigger Risk-Off Move Over the weekend renewed geopolitical tension weighed heavily on broader risk markets after former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed new tariff measures targeting European Union and NATO countries. While crypto assets appeared insulated from the news sentiment deteriorated sharply once U.S. equity futures opened weaker during early Asian trading hours. This shift triggered aggressive selling across digital assets. Bitcoin fell to approximately $92,500, while Ethereum dropped to around $3,200, effectively erasing the majority of gains recorded during the prior week. The move highlights crypto’s continued sensitivity to global macro and geopolitical developments, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty. On Monday Bitcoin’s price action is showing near-term consolidation after a sharp pullback, with BTC trading around $93,000following a rejection from the mid-$90,000s. Near-Term Outlook Hinges on Macro Developments Looking ahead near-term price action is expected to remain highly reactive to how U.S.–EU trade tensions evolve. Any escalation could pressure risk assets while signs of de-escalation may provide room for stabilization. Geopolitical risks in the Middle East remain elevated with tensions increasing over the weekend and contributing to a more cautious market backdrop. From a macro perspective, markets face a busy week. Key events include the World Economic Forum in Davos, upcoming U.S. GDP and PCE inflation data and a Bank of Japan policy meeting. Although there are no scheduled Federal Reserve speeches due to the blackout period, markets may still see policy-related developments. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that a Fed chair announcement could occur closer to the Davos Forum, adding another potential catalyst for volatility. Caution Returns After Breakout Attempt While last week’s breakout above $95,000 marked a technical milestone for Bitcoin the subsequent pullback shows the fragile nature of sentiment at elevated price levels. With macro and geopolitical risks back in focus, traders are likely to remain cautious in the near term, watching for clarity on tariffs, central bank direction and broader risk appetite before committing to the next directional move. The post Crypto Rally Fades as Geopolitical Risks Re-Enter Focus: Laser Digital appeared first on Cryptonews .

19 Jan 2026, 13:50

Bitcoin, ether, solana and XRP extend ETF inflow streak before reversal

Bitcoin funds took in $1.55 billion while ethereum and solana added $496 million and $45.5 million, respectively.

19 Jan 2026, 13:45

NYSE 24/7 Trading: The Revolutionary Leap into On-Chain Tokenization

BitcoinWorld NYSE 24/7 Trading: The Revolutionary Leap into On-Chain Tokenization In a landmark announcement poised to redefine global finance, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has revealed plans to introduce 24/7 trading of U.S. equities through a novel on-chain tokenization platform. This strategic move, first reported by Watcher.Guru, signals the most significant structural shift in traditional equity markets in decades, effectively merging the legacy world of Wall Street with the persistent, decentralized nature of blockchain technology. Consequently, the iconic trading floor may soon never close, enabling continuous capital flow in a digital-first financial ecosystem. Decoding the NYSE 24/7 Trading Initiative The core of the NYSE’s plan involves creating a parallel, digitally-native marketplace. Here, traditional stocks will be represented as digital tokens on a blockchain. Each token will correspond to a share in a publicly traded company, granting the holder identical economic rights. However, the settlement and ownership record will exist on a distributed ledger. This foundational shift from a centralized database to a transparent, immutable chain enables the proposed around-the-clock trading model. Traditional market hours, a fixture since 1792, have long been a constraint for global investors reacting to news and events in different time zones. Therefore, this initiative directly addresses the demand for continuous liquidity and accessibility in an increasingly interconnected world. Industry analysts immediately recognized the profound implications. “This is not merely a new trading venue; it’s a re-architecting of market infrastructure,” noted a report from the Deloitte Center for Financial Services. The move follows years of experimentation with digital assets by major financial institutions. For instance, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has extensively piloted blockchain for settlement. Similarly, giants like BlackRock have launched tokenized asset funds. The NYSE’s entry, however, brings unprecedented scale and legitimacy to the concept of tokenized traditional securities. The Technical and Regulatory Pathway Implementing this vision requires navigating a complex web of technical and regulatory challenges. The NYSE will likely partner with established blockchain infrastructure providers or develop a proprietary, permissioned ledger. This system must guarantee security, scalability to handle massive volume, and seamless integration with existing clearing and custody systems. Crucially, the exchange must work in lockstep with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure full compliance. Regulatory frameworks for digital asset securities are still evolving, but the NYSE’s established relationship with regulators provides a significant advantage. A phased rollout, perhaps starting with a select group of highly liquid ETFs or mega-cap stocks, is considered the most probable approach by compliance experts. The Transformative Impact of On-Chain Tokenization Tokenization—the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain—unlocks several key advantages for equity markets. Firstly, it promises near-instantaneous settlement (T+0), eliminating the current T+2 standard and significantly reducing counterparty risk and capital requirements for brokers. Secondly, blockchain’s inherent transparency provides a clear, auditable trail of ownership, potentially reducing errors and fraud. Thirdly, it enables fractional ownership of high-priced stocks with greater ease, further democratizing market access. The following table contrasts key features of the traditional model versus the proposed tokenized model: Feature Traditional NYSE Trading Proposed On-Chain Tokenized Trading Market Hours 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET, Weekdays 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Settlement Cycle T+2 (Trade Date plus 2 days) Potential for T+0 or near-instant settlement Ownership Record Centralized ledger (DTCC) Distributed, immutable blockchain ledger Access & Fractionalization Limited by broker platforms Enhanced, programmable fractional shares Transparency Post-trade reporting Near-real-time, auditable transaction history Market structure will inevitably evolve. Traditional market makers and liquidity providers must adapt their algorithms and risk models for a non-stop environment. Furthermore, the concept of opening and closing auctions becomes obsolete, replaced by continuous price discovery. This could reduce opening volatility but introduces new dynamics for managing news-driven price gaps. Global Context and Competitive Pressure The NYSE’s decision does not exist in a vacuum. Globally, other exchanges are aggressively exploring digital asset avenues. For example, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has partnered with Linklogis for digital asset capabilities. Similarly, the Swiss Digital Exchange (SDX) operates a fully regulated platform for digital securities. In the United States, competitors like Cboe and Nasdaq are also deeply invested in blockchain and digital asset technology. The NYSE’s announcement is a decisive move to maintain its historic leadership and capture first-mover advantage in the tokenization of mainstream equities. This competition ultimately accelerates innovation, benefiting the entire financial ecosystem through improved efficiency and reduced costs. Simultaneously, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, which already offer 24/7 trading of crypto-assets, has demonstrated investor appetite for continuous markets. The NYSE initiative can be seen as a strategic response to this growing alternative ecosystem, aiming to bring its trust, regulation, and vast asset base to a similar technological model. By integrating tokenization, the NYSE bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, potentially onboarding a new generation of investors familiar with digital wallets and blockchain interfaces. Expert Analysis on Market Evolution Financial historians draw parallels to the advent of electronic trading. “The move from floor-based to screen-based trading was a revolution in access and speed. Tokenization and 24/7 markets represent the next logical, yet profound, evolution,” stated Dr. Elena Torres, a finance professor at Columbia University. She emphasizes that the core functions of capital formation and price discovery remain, but the mechanisms become infinitely more efficient and inclusive. Major asset managers like Fidelity and Vanguard are closely monitoring these developments, as tokenization could streamline their massive back-office operations and fund distribution channels. Their participation will be critical for the liquidity and success of any new tokenized platform. Conclusion The NYSE’s plan for 24/7 trading via on-chain tokenization marks a pivotal moment in financial history. It represents a conscious evolution of the world’s largest stock exchange to meet the technological and behavioral demands of the future. While significant operational and regulatory hurdles remain, the direction is clear: financial markets are moving toward greater digitization, transparency, and constant availability. This initiative promises to enhance liquidity, reduce systemic risk, and democratize access, fundamentally reshaping how the world invests. The success of the NYSE 24/7 trading model will likely set the standard for global markets, heralding a new era of seamless, integrated finance. FAQs Q1: What does “on-chain tokenization” mean for NYSE stocks? On-chain tokenization means each NYSE-listed share would be digitally represented as a token on a blockchain. This token acts as a digital certificate of ownership, with all transactions recorded on a secure, distributed ledger instead of solely in a traditional centralized database. Q2: Will 24/7 trading replace the current NYSE market hours? Initially, it is expected to operate as a parallel market. The traditional 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET trading session will likely continue, with the tokenized platform offering extended, continuous trading. Over time, liquidity may naturally migrate toward the 24/7 venue. Q3: Is tokenized stock trading on the NYSE safe and regulated? The NYSE has stated it will work within the full regulatory framework of the SEC. A permissioned blockchain with strict access controls and adherence to existing securities laws (like KYC/AML) is anticipated, aiming to provide security and investor protection comparable to traditional markets. Q4: How will 24/7 trading affect stock price volatility? Continuous trading could smooth out volatility caused by overnight news, as prices adjust incrementally. However, it also means markets can react instantly to events at any time, requiring new risk management tools for investors and market makers. Q5: Can retail investors participate in the NYSE’s tokenized trading? Yes, that is a primary goal. The platform is designed to be accessible through approved broker-dealers. The technology may also make fractional share investing more efficient, potentially lowering barriers to entry for retail investors. This post NYSE 24/7 Trading: The Revolutionary Leap into On-Chain Tokenization first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

19 Jan 2026, 13:40

Binance to Delist 23 Trading Pairs on Januar 20: What Altcoin Traders Need to Know

The world’s leading crypto exchange will remove numerous spot trading pairs, potentially affecting the actions of many altcoin investors. The company announced other key developments, including the relaunch of an important service that affects Australian users. Scrapping These Pairs Binance has a habit of delisting pairs that no longer meet the required criteria, such as solid liquidity and trading volume. Based on its most recent analysis, it announced that 1MBABYDOGE/FDUSD, ADX/ETH, AGLD/BTC, ATOM/ETH, BTC/ZAR, ETH/ZAR, ORDI/BTC, TRB/BTC, and 15 other pairs will be removed from the platform. The effort is scheduled for January 20, and the exchange noted that it will not affect the availability of the tokens on Bonance Spot. “Users can still trade the spot trading pair’s base and quote assets on other trading pair(s) that are available on Binance,” the official disclosure reads. The majority of the cryptocurrencies included in the process have posted substantial declines after the news, which is a rather normal reaction. After all, Binance is the undisputed leader in its field, and withdrawing support decreases liquidity and visibility for the affected tokens, while hurting their reputations. ORDI (ORDI) seems to be the worst-affected, with its valuation falling by approximately 12%. ORDI Price, Source: CoinGecko Of course, the broader crypto market’s decline could also have played a negative role. Bitcoin (BTC) temporarily slipped to $92,000, while many altcoins witnessed double-digit price losses amid escalating tensions between US President Donald Trump and the European Union over the Greenland saga. Additional Updates In mid-2023, Binance Australia notified its users that fiat withdrawals to local bank accounts via the PayID system would be suspended. It revealed that the decision was made by a third-party payment provider. Earlier today (January 19), though, the company re-launched AUD deposits and withdrawals. To celebrate the move, Binance Australia introduced the PayID Meme Challenge, as the five winners will be picked on January 23. Meanwhile, Binance said it will open trading for BTC/U and LTC/USD1 on January 20. It will also enable trading bots services for the same pairs on that date. The post Binance to Delist 23 Trading Pairs on Januar 20: What Altcoin Traders Need to Know appeared first on CryptoPotato .