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30 Jan 2026, 16:49

Bitcoin Whale Accumulation Hits Highest Level Since 2024 Amid BTC Price Weakness

There has been a structural change among Bitcoin (BTC) whales holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC. This cohort of whales’ accumulation pace has increased significantly, climbing to its strongest level since 2024 and pointing to a major change in long-term positioning. Large Bitcoin Holders Step In Recent readings shared by CryptoQuant analysts reveal an increase in the pace at which these entities are adding to their holdings compared with prior periods. As a result, total whale-controlled Bitcoin has climbed to approximately 3.204 million BTC. This indicates a renewed return of long-term interest from this cohort. At the same time, whale activity metrics on the Binance exchange show a considerable rise in the share of trading activity attributed to large holders, as the indicator reached nearly 0.65 in January, which is its highest level since November. This pattern is typically associated with active position management, where whales deploy part of their liquidity to hedge volatility, rotate capital between instruments, or open and close derivative positions while maintaining core long-term holdings. Flow data further supports this trend. Over the past 30 days, whale balances increased by around 152,000 BTC, in what appears to be a strong acceleration in net accumulation, indicating that the current buildup extends beyond a short-term move. On a shorter horizon, the 7-day change also remained positive at nearly 30,000 BTC, which means that accumulation momentum is intact across multiple timeframes. As such, the on-chain balance data and exchange-level activity suggest that the world’s largest crypto asset is entering a phase of structural consolidation led by large holders rather than speculative excess. Bitcoin FUD Surges The latest accumulation trend unfolded against the backdrop of massive market stress, as Bitcoin fell over 6% on January 30, which triggered renewed downside volatility. As a result, negative commentary toward Bitcoin on social media surged to the highest level seen this year. Santiment found that traders were expressing fear, uncertainty, and doubt after the crypto asset fell to below $82,000, its lowest price since November 21. According to the analytics platform, periods of extreme fear have historically pointed to market capitulation being close. Capitulation is often followed by retail investors selling their holdings, after which smart money typically accumulates coins. This process has previously led to higher prices over time. Santiment added that near-term conditions may remain volatile, as recent pullbacks in equities, gold, and silver are also impacting crypto markets. The post Bitcoin Whale Accumulation Hits Highest Level Since 2024 Amid BTC Price Weakness appeared first on CryptoPotato .

30 Jan 2026, 16:34

Kazakhstan allocates $350 million from reserves to crypto investments

Financial authorities in Kazakhstan have earmarked a portion of the nation’s gold and foreign currency reserves for cryptocurrency investment, the country’s central bank unveiled. The money will be controlled by an entity under the monetary authority and used for indirect investments at this stage, according to a representative of the regulator’s management. Kazakhstan to convert gold and fiat currency into crypto assets The National Investment Corporation (NIC), a subsidiary of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK), has received $350 million from the Central Asian nation’s gold and foreign exchange reserves to invest in crypto. NBK Deputy Governor Aliya Moldabekova made the announcement at the Annual Business Review forum, the Kazakhstan Association of Minority Shareholders (QAMS) informed in a post on its Telegram channel. A special account has been opened at the Central Depository for the cryptocurrency reserve that the country is now creating, she said, also quoted by the Russian crypto news outlet Bits.media. Initially, the NIC will refrain from direct investment in crypto assets, but will rather use hedge funds, the central bank executive emphasized. Five such funds have been shortlisted already, Moldabekova revealed, adding that further investments will be made through participation in venture capital funds. Speaking at the same event, her superior, Chairman of the NBK Timur Suleimenov, said that the NIC will also take control of digital assets seized by law enforcement agencies. Kazakhstan’s National Fund, which collects revenues from the sale of oil and natural gas, will serve as a source of funding for these investments as well. The cryptocurrency reserve will be part of Kazakhstan’s overall sovereign reserves managed by the National Bank, Suleimenov pointed out. Astana starts building Kazakhstan’s national crypto reserve Officials in Astana announced the country was going to create a digital-asset reserve last fall. In November, the central bank unveiled that it will hold up to $1 billion. Part of the funds in it will be government-seized coins, and some will be in the form of repatriated assets, Suleimenov detailed in an interview for Bloomberg. The fund will invest in crypto-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and shares of companies involved in the crypto industry, he further noted. Later that month, the chairman of the NBK told the local press that the bank was prepared to spend up to $300 million on such investments in the short term. His statement came after another of his deputies, Berik Sholpankulov, broke the news that the monetary authority was considering investing some of the nation’s gold and forex reserves in crypto. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development announced the launch of a fund backed by the local branch of Binance, the world’s largest coin trading platform. The Alem Crypto Fund, which is managed by the state-linked Qazaqstan Venture Group, made its first investment by purchasing BNB tokens, as reported by Cryptopolitan. In September 2025, Kazakhstan launched a stablecoin pegged to its fiat currency, the tenge. It’s based on the Solana blockchain and issued through the Intebix crypto exchange. Kazakhstan aims to become a crypto hub in Eurasia Kazakhstan has been trying to establish itself as a crypto hub in Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region since it became a mining hotspot a few years ago. Its government is taking steps to regulate and even liberalize its cryptocurrency market by permitting the circulation of digital assets outside the current special legal regime of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), lifting some restrictions on mining, and legalizing crypto investments. At the same time, Kazakhstani authorities have been cracking down on unauthorized and illegal activities in the crypto space. This week, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made it clear the state is now focusing on the fight against capital flight through digital-asset transactions. Government agencies have already shut down over 130 unlicensed exchange offices with a combined turnover of $123 million, he highlighted. Earlier in January, the country’s watchdog said it had restricted access to more than 1,100 websites providing crypto services without permission. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.

30 Jan 2026, 16:29

HYPE Coin Defies Market Trends and Tests Critical Resistance Levels

HYPE Coin remained resilient while most altcoins lost value. Negative sentiment towards Binance benefited Hyperliquid's market position. Continue Reading: HYPE Coin Defies Market Trends and Tests Critical Resistance Levels The post HYPE Coin Defies Market Trends and Tests Critical Resistance Levels appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

30 Jan 2026, 16:14

Bybit and Block Scholes Report Notes Short-Term Crypto Volatility Spike as Markets Reprice Fed Outlook

BitcoinWorld Bybit and Block Scholes Report Notes Short-Term Crypto Volatility Spike as Markets Reprice Fed Outlook DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit , the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has released the latest Bybit x Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics report , analyzing recent market stress across digital assets as investors reassess expectations for United States monetary policy. Key findings include: Broad crypto market selloff alongside global risk assets Sharp rise in short-term implied volatility for Bitcoin and Ether Limited response in longer-dated volatility despite steep price declines Muted derivatives participation and subdued trading volumes The report shows that cryptocurrencies have been caught in a wider selloff across global markets, driven by a rapid repricing of the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and renewed strength in the US dollar. The move erased roughly 4.7 percent of total crypto market capitalization in 24 hours, with losses concentrated among major tokens. Bitcoin fell to around $81,000, placing it more than 30 percent below its Oct. 6, 2025 high of $126,100, while Ether even dipped below $2,700, dropping well below the $3,000 psychological level. On a year-to-date basis, Bitcoin and Ether are down more than 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively. That selloff translated into a sharp increase in short-term options implied volatility. One-week at-the-money implied volatility climbed to about 46 percent for Bitcoin and roughly 58 percent for Ether. However, longer-dated volatility did not rise as aggressively, suggesting that traders are primarily pricing in elevated near-term uncertainty rather than a prolonged period of market stress. Derivatives market participation remains subdued. Open interest in perpetual futures contracts has not fallen sharply alongside spot prices and remains well below levels recorded ahead of the October 2025 liquidation event. Daily trading volumes in perpetual contracts are also significantly lower than those seen during the first three quarters of 2025, indicating continued caution among market participants. “Cryptos have been caught up in the selloff across global assets, as markets aggressively reprice the Fed policy outlook under a presumably less-dovish Fed Chair,” said Han Tan, Chief market analyst at Bybit Learn. “With US-listed Bitcoin ETFs posting three straight months of net outflows, traders will be keeping a wary eye on the $80,000 level. A sustained break below that psychologically important line may extend Bitcoin’s slump into the mid-$70,000 region, revisiting levels not seen since the aftermath of Liberation Day.” The report also notes that recent Federal Open Market Committee communications had little impact on longer-term volatility expectations. Despite a slightly hawkish tone and an emphasis on a wait-and-see approach, implied volatility across longer tenors for both Bitcoin and Ether has continued to trend lower since peaking in late 2025. Overall, the analysis suggests that while short-term volatility has intensified, the absence of a sustained rise in longer-dated volatility and trading activity reflects a market environment marked by restrained participation and cautious positioning. The full Bybit x Block Scholes report is available for download. #Bybit / #CryptoArk / #BybitLearn About Bybit Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com . For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube This post Bybit and Block Scholes Report Notes Short-Term Crypto Volatility Spike as Markets Reprice Fed Outlook first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

30 Jan 2026, 15:07

KuCoin’s New European Chapter Begins: KuCoin EU Secures MiCAR Compliance, Celebrates With a Ball in Vienna

After years of speculation about whether major crypto exchange KuCoin would be available to EU users, the wait is finally over. KuCoin is officially MiCAR-compliant. It celebrated this significant achievement with a VIP gala at the iconic Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday night. Cryptonews has been on the ground in Vienna this week, speaking directly with company leadership to uncover what lies ahead for their new European Union expansion. ‘Only The Starting Point’ The fully MiCAR-regulated crypto trading platform has opened its doors to a massive number of users now that it is available in 29 European Economic Area markets. The team explained that KuCoin EU users will have access to EUR deposits and withdrawals, spot trading, and local customer support, among other services. They plan to offer campaigns and features exclusive to the region. Europe, a new chapter begins With KuCoin’s EU station officially launched, we’re proud to support a vision for digital asset access in Europe that’s built on trust, compliance, and user-first infrastructure. The future is taking shape — and we’re building it together.… pic.twitter.com/mv4rhU6wP7 — KuCoin VIP & Institutional (@KuCoinInst) January 30, 2026 This is a notable advance, both for the company and for its users. With this move, KuCoin EU has met the union’s regulatory standards. More precisely, it is licensed as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation ( MiCAR ) and is supervised by Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA). “Over the past months, our teams have worked meticulously to design a platform that meets Europe’s regulatory expectations in full, while still delivering the performance, reliability, and user experience that modern crypto users expect,” said Managing Director Christian Niedermueller. However, he adds that this is just “the starting point.” Now that the platform has established a solid regulatory foundation, Niedermueller said, KuCoin will move into “a long-term role in shaping a trusted digital asset ecosystem across Europe.” This, he suggests, they can accomplish by adapting to regional needs and paying attention to what local users have to say. Also, KuCoin CEO BC Wong added that the team chose Austria as KuCoin EU’s base. This is due to “its clear and forward-looking regulatory framework, which provides a strong foundation for operating responsibly and sustainably across Europe.” KuCoin EU’s Managing Directors Christian Niedermueller, Sabina Liu, and Audrey Lim launched the platform live onstage in Austria’s capital. They said that a phased roll-out of its services has begun. More offers are arriving on the list in the coming months. Expanding the Team, Establishing a Payment Layer KuCoin revealed that the EU platform has a 30-person regional team across Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Moreover, they will move forward with the Visa KuCard for Europe, providing a payment service for millions of people. The card comes with zero annual fees, instant conversion, and up to 8.5% cashback. Another big announcement came in the form of Sabina Liu taking the new role as Managing Director. Liu boasts a deep understanding of KuCoin’s core principles and seems an obvious choice for this role. She previously ran KuCoin exchange’s institutional business, and before that spent 14 years at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). In Liu’s words, “Europe represents one of the most sophisticated financial markets globally, and KuCoin EU has been built to meet that standard from day one. This launch reflects a clear business decision to invest long-term in Europe, by establishing local leadership, aligning with regulatory expectations, and delivering a platform designed around specific regional needs.” Notably, with the foundation now in place, the team’s “focus is on responsible growth, strong partnerships, and building a sustainable business that can scale across the region,” the new Managing Director said. A New Partnership Based On ‘Shared Values’ The event continued with announcements. They revealed a strategic partnership with world-class cyclist Tadej Pogačar. The four-time Tour de France champion and the current UCI Road World Champion is now KuCoin EU’s global brand partner. Both parties have stated that the partnership is not of a transactional kind – instead, it focuses on shared values. “Trust is not declared, but earned through long-term performance, professionalism, and discipline,” the team said . Additionally, this latest news follows the exchange’s collaborations with Australian golf player Adam Scott and global music festival Tomorrowland. Meanwhile, KuCoin was founded in 2017. It says it has 40 million users across more than 200 countries and regions. Moreover, it offers access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet. At the end of last year, it reported 55% year-on-year growth in spot trading volume. This was in addition to the 30% rise in futures volume. In December 2025, KuCoin announced a $2 billion Trust Project, aiming to strengthen institutional confidence and platform security. Now, with the latest move, the firm says it has opened its brand new chapter. You may also like: KuCoin EU Gains MiCAR Approval to Roll Out Digital Asset Services in Europe After years of speculation about whether major crypto exchange KuCoin would be available to EU users, the wait is finally over. KuCoin is officially MiCAR-compliant. It celebrated this significant achievement with a VIP gala at the iconic Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday night.Cryptonews has been on the ground in Vienna this week, speaking directly with company leadership to uncover what lies ahead for their new European Union expansion.‘Only The Starting... The post KuCoin’s New European Chapter Begins: KuCoin EU Secures MiCAR Compliance, Celebrates With a Ball in Vienna appeared first on Cryptonews .

30 Jan 2026, 15:05

Bitget’s BGB set to list on Kraken, boosting institutional and global exposure

Bitget , the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), today announced that BGB will be listed on Kraken, marking a significant milestone in BGB’s global expansion following its transfer to the Morph Foundation in September 2025. The listing on Kraken represents an important step in extending BGB’s reach to global audiences through a platform recognised for its compliance-first approach and longstanding presence in regulated markets. By listing with an exchange known for robust standards around custody, regulation, transparency and market integrity, BGB gains broader exposure among institutional participants and crypto users seeking access through established venues. BGB’s transfer to the Morph Foundation laid the technical groundwork for its next phase of growth. The move positioned BGB as a governance-first asset, designed to operate natively within a scalable, modular on-chain environment. BGB has increasingly functioned as a utility token, supporting governance participation, ecosystem incentives, and deeper integration across the Web3 space. “BGB’s growth depends on where it can be used, not just where it’s traded,” said Colin Goltra, CEO of Morph. “As more financial activity shifts on-chain, liquidity, accessibility and reliable infrastructure become critical. Expanding BGB’s presence on global platforms strengthens its role as an asset that can support settlement, governance, and scale within modern financial systems.” As on-chain finance continues to mature, with payments, settlement, and financial infrastructure increasingly moving on-chain, tokens that pair clear utility with regulated access are becoming more central to how value flows globally. The Kraken listing represents a meaningful milestone in BGB’s evolution, reaffirming BGB’s status as a globally accessible governance and utility asset. The post Bitget's BGB set to list on Kraken, boosting institutional and global exposure appeared first on Invezz