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30 Jan 2026, 14:53

qLabs Fires First Shot in Quantum Crypto Race — Can Coinbase Catch Up?

The rapid progress of quantum computing is forcing the cryptocurrency industry to confront the problem that has long been treated as theoretical. Blockchains that secure trillions of dollars in value rely on cryptographic systems such as elliptic curve signatures , which are considered safe today but widely expected to fail once sufficiently powerful quantum machines arrive. While timelines remain debated, the direction is no longer in doubt, and preparation is increasingly shifting from academic discussion to early deployment. Against that backdrop, qLABS, a crypto-focused foundation working on post-quantum cryptography infrastructure, prepares to launch its first quantum-resistant token, qONE, with a limited presale scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. UTC. Quantum Computers Aren’t Here Yet — So Why Is qLABS Racing to Secure Crypto Now? qLABS describes itself as “quantum-native,” meaning its systems are designed from the outset to withstand attacks from future quantum computers rather than retrofitted later. https://t.co/iV4g6PYN7Z — qLABS (@qlabsofficial) January 29, 2026 The qLABS team told Cryptonews in an interview that the industry can no longer afford to wait until slow, chain-level upgrades are available. They claimed that the majority of the existing initiatives are either divided into short-term categories such as research projects, initial upgrades of the protocol, or enhancing the wallets but none of them offer direct protection to assets already placed on open blockchains. The foundation’s core objective is to address the so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” risk, in which attackers collect encrypted data or public keys today with the expectation that quantum computers will be able to break them in the future. In blockchain systems, that threat is particularly acute because digital signatures underpin wallet security and asset ownership. Source: qLABS Instead of building a new blockchain, qLABS aims to focus on adding a quantum-resistant layer to existing networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Hyperliquid. The team claimed it aims at protecting assets at the wallet and transaction layer initially, and users can choose to protect quantumly without transferring money to new networks. Its approach relies on a combination of post-quantum cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs , built on IronCAP, a code-based cryptographic system aligned with standards released by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Notably, the system introduces what qLABS calls a dual-signature model. The transactions need the standard signature known by the underlying blockchain, and a second quantum-resistant signature is needed. Quantum-Ready or Left Behind? qLabs Raises the Stakes for Coinbase and Big Crypto The pressure exerted by qLABS is indicative of an industry-wide change. On January 16, 2020, Coinbase said it had established an independent advisory board focused on quantum computing and blockchain security comprising cryptography researchers, academia, and protocol development. The exchange indicated that the group would release the assessments and recommendations that would assist developers and institutions in planning the long-term quantum risks. @coinbase researcher warns that about one‑third of Bitcoin could be structurally vulnerable to future quantum computing attacks. #BTC #QuantumComputing https://t.co/v1YfCfmFQp — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 6, 2026 Coinbase Ventures has also invested in Project Eleven, which is developing technology to assist blockchains with staged applications to post-quantum security. Other networks are also in motion, for example, the Ethereum Foundation recently made post-quantum security a strategic priority, allocating budgets towards its research efforts and prize competitions centered on hash-based crypto. Aptos has suggested implementing a post-quantum signature scheme based on the NIST standard, which is less cost-efficient, but opts in favor of early conservatism over after-the-fact remedies. Such initiatives are being implemented as the estimates of cryptographically relevant quantum machines keep getting shorter. Aptos introduces quantum-resistant signature proposal AIP-137 to protect blockchain security against future quantum computing threats as industry prepares for cryptographic challenges. #Aptos #QuantumComputing https://t.co/K9F2goyI50 — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 19, 2025 Researchers have observed that in recent years the number of qubits needed to threaten a broad range of elliptic curve signatures of 256 bits has fallen considerably, and some estimates are currently showing that it may be reached in the first or mid-2030s. Even conservative predictions admit that migration planning must begin well in advance. Within that context, qLABS aims to position qONE and its associated Quantum-Sig wallet technology as early infrastructure rather than a speculative experiment. The token is intended to function as an access key to quantum-secure transaction services, with fees tied to usage rather than subscriptions. The post qLabs Fires First Shot in Quantum Crypto Race — Can Coinbase Catch Up? appeared first on Cryptonews .

30 Jan 2026, 13:30

Binance To Turn Its $1 Billion SAFU Fund Into Bitcoin Amid Horrendous Crypto Market Meltdown

Binance, announced Friday that it would convert the stablecoin in its $1 billion long-running emergency user protection reserve to Bitcoin.

30 Jan 2026, 13:30

OKX ZAMA Listing: Strategic Expansion into Privacy-Focused Digital Assets

BitcoinWorld OKX ZAMA Listing: Strategic Expansion into Privacy-Focused Digital Assets In a significant move for the digital asset sector, global cryptocurrency exchange OKX has confirmed the imminent listing of ZAMA for spot trading, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. UTC on February 2. This announcement, made from the exchange’s operational hub, signals a deliberate expansion into the specialized and increasingly relevant market of privacy-enhancing cryptocurrencies. Consequently, the listing provides traders with direct access to a novel asset class designed for confidential transactions. Furthermore, this development aligns with broader industry trends toward diversified financial tooling within regulated exchange environments. OKX ZAMA Listing Details and Market Context The OKX ZAMA listing introduces the privacy-focused token to one of the world’s largest trading platforms by volume. Trading will commence in the ZAMA/USDT spot pair, providing immediate liquidity against a major stablecoin. Typically, such listings follow a rigorous due diligence process by the exchange’s asset listing team. This team evaluates factors like technological integrity, regulatory compliance, and community traction. For instance, OKX has previously listed other privacy-oriented assets, demonstrating a consistent strategic interest. The specific timing, February 2, allows the market adequate notice to prepare wallets and trading strategies. Moreover, the listing occurs during a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny on privacy tools globally. Therefore, OKX’s decision underscores its confidence in operating within established compliance frameworks. The exchange has implemented robust know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. These protocols apply uniformly to all traded assets, including privacy coins. Industry analysts often view such listings as a barometer for mainstream exchange acceptance of advanced cryptographic technologies. Understanding ZAMA’s Technology and Purpose ZAMA represents a category of digital assets built with foundational privacy features. Unlike transparent blockchains like Bitcoin or Ethereum, where transactions are publicly visible, ZAMA utilizes advanced cryptographic techniques. These techniques include zero-knowledge proofs or ring signatures to obscure transaction details. The core purpose is to provide financial privacy, a feature many argue is analogous to the privacy expected in traditional cash transactions. Importantly, privacy in this context does not imply anonymity for illicit activity but rather confidentiality for legitimate users. Several key technological differentiators define projects like ZAMA. The following table outlines common features of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies: Feature Description Common Implementation Sender/Receiver Obfuscation Hides the wallet addresses involved in a transaction. Ring Signatures, Stealth Addresses Transaction Amount Masking Conceals the precise amount being transferred. Pedersen Commitments, Confidential Transactions Transaction Graph Obfuscation Breaks the linkability between multiple transactions. CoinJoin, zk-SNARKs Optional Transparency Allows users to selectively disclose details for audit or compliance. View Keys, Audit Tools Developers design ZAMA’s protocol to balance privacy with necessary regulatory tools. For example, selective disclosure mechanisms allow users to prove payment details to authorized third parties. This balance is crucial for exchange adoption, as it enables compliance with travel rule and other financial regulations. The technology appeals to individuals and institutions seeking enhanced financial data protection. Expert Analysis on Exchange Strategy and Impact Market strategists observe that OKX’s decision reflects a calculated diversification of its spot trading catalog. “Exchanges continuously assess the evolving demands of their user base,” notes a veteran crypto-market analyst from a major financial research firm. “Listing an asset like ZAMA isn’t merely about adding another ticker; it’s about providing a comprehensive suite of financial instruments. Privacy coins serve a specific, growing niche concerned with data sovereignty.” This analyst points to historical data showing that listings on top-tier exchanges often correlate with increased liquidity and visibility for the underlying project. Furthermore, the impact extends beyond immediate trading volume. The listing validates the technical work of the ZAMA development team and can spur further ecosystem development. Wallet providers, payment processors, and decentralized applications may increase integration efforts following major exchange support. From a market structure perspective, it also introduces arbitrage opportunities between OKX and other platforms that list ZAMA, ultimately contributing to more efficient price discovery across the global market. The Regulatory Landscape for Privacy Assets The listing arrives amidst a complex and dynamic global regulatory environment. Jurisdictions like the European Union are implementing comprehensive frameworks like the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Meanwhile, other regions maintain varying stances on privacy-enhancing technologies. OKX, as a globally licensed exchange, navigates this by applying its stringent compliance checks uniformly. The exchange’s compliance framework typically includes: Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Scrutinizing the asset’s governance, issuance, and development team. Transaction Monitoring: Applying blockchain analytics tools to spot trading activity to identify unusual patterns. Regulatory Collaboration: Working with regulators to ensure listings meet local legal standards in operational territories. This proactive compliance approach allows exchanges to list innovative assets while managing regulatory risk. It also provides a model for how privacy-focused technologies can coexist with modern financial oversight. The success of this listing could influence how other major platforms evaluate similar assets in the future. Conclusion The OKX ZAMA listing marks a pivotal moment for the accessibility of privacy-focused digital assets. By integrating ZAMA into its spot trading platform on February 2, OKX expands the toolkit available to its global user base. This move underscores the exchange’s strategy to cater to diverse market segments while adhering to rigorous compliance standards. The development highlights the ongoing maturation of the cryptocurrency market, where specialized technologies find pathways to mainstream exchange support. Ultimately, the listing enhances liquidity, validates the underlying technology, and offers traders a new avenue for portfolio diversification within a regulated trading environment. FAQs Q1: What is the exact date and time for the ZAMA trading start on OKX? The spot trading for ZAMA will begin precisely at 1:00 p.m. UTC on Saturday, February 2. The trading pair will be ZAMA/USDT. Q2: What makes ZAMA different from Bitcoin or Ethereum? Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have transparent ledgers, ZAMA is built with foundational privacy features that obscure transaction details like sender, receiver, and amount using advanced cryptography, offering users greater financial confidentiality. Q3: Is it legal to trade privacy coins like ZAMA on OKX? Yes, OKX operates under multiple global licenses and implements strict KYC and AML procedures. The listing indicates the exchange has conducted compliance reviews and believes trading ZAMA aligns with its regulatory obligations in its operational jurisdictions. Q4: Will OKX offer other services like staking or earning for ZAMA? The initial announcement is for spot trading only. Future product offerings, such as staking, savings, or futures contracts, depend on OKX’s internal product development roadmap and are typically announced separately if they become available. Q5: How does this listing affect the overall cryptocurrency market? Listings on major exchanges like OKX generally increase an asset’s liquidity, legitimacy, and accessibility. It can attract new investors to the privacy coin sector and may influence other exchanges to consider similar listings, broadening the overall market’s diversity. This post OKX ZAMA Listing: Strategic Expansion into Privacy-Focused Digital Assets first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

30 Jan 2026, 13:15

Russian authorities confiscate assets in 5-billion-ruble crypto bribery probe

A Russian court has ordered the seizure of the property of a former employee of the interior ministry in Moscow, prosecuted for accepting bribes in cryptocurrency worth billions of rubles. The development in the high-profile case comes as Russian lawmakers prepare to legalize the state confiscation of digital assets as part of criminal proceedings this year. Former police official loses his property over crypto-funded corruption The Zyuzinsky District Court in the Russian capital has approved the prosecutors’ claim over the property of a corrupt official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Identified as Georgy Satyukov, the department’s former employee has been convicted for accepting crypto bribes for a record 5 billion rubles (over $66 million at current exchange rates). The man’s assets will be seized “for the benefit of the state,” a participant in the proceedings told RIA Novosti, which quoted the source as stating: “The court fully upheld the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office to seize Satyukov’s property.” The trial was held behind closed doors, the news agency noted in a report on Thursday. In April 2024, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow sentenced Satyukov in absentia. The ex-specialist in combating financial fraud had fled abroad after the launch of the investigation against him over the massive bribe, the largest in the MVD’s recent history. He is believed to have been receiving the cryptocurrency in exchange for providing protection to people involved in various financial schemes. In December of that year, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, revealed his colleagues had seized over 2 billion rubles as part of the same probe. The whereabouts of one of Satyukov’s subordinates who is also implicated, Dmitry Sokolov, are unknown, too. Both have been placed on an international wanted listed. Russia to regulate all crypto transactions including state seizure of digital assets Russian authorities are gearing up to comprehensively regulate all transactions with cryptocurrencies, including investment and trading, by the summer of 2026. According to the latest regulatory concept proposed by the Bank of Russia in late December, Bitcoin and the like will be treated as “monetary assets.” Under current Russian legislation, digital currency has been partially recognized as property, at least in some legal acts. A bill granting it the same status under the country’s Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law was recently approved for final adoption by the legislative committee of the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament. The draft law introduces effective mechanisms for the seizure of coins by law enforcement agencies and their subsequent confiscation for the state or to secure civil claims. Earlier in January, Russia’s Constitutional Court upheld the property rights of cryptocurrency owners, including the right to judicial protection. There have been a number of precedents already in the Russian judicial practice, when crypto holdings have been treated like property. Last week, media reports revealed that the office of Russia’s Federal Bailiff Service in the Krasnodar Krai region has seized the digital assets of a local resident to settle his child support debt. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.

30 Jan 2026, 13:11

Mantle’s Cross-Chain Era on Solana: Onboarding the Bybit Express to Mantle Super Portal

BitcoinWorld Mantle’s Cross-Chain Era on Solana: Onboarding the Bybit Express to Mantle Super Portal DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit , the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to join Mantle’s infrastructure revolution with Mantle Super Portal . Newly developed with Bybit, the infrastructure supercharges asset flows between EVM and Solana, and elevates $MNT’s (Mantle) versatility. The integration represents an expansion in cross-chain asset accessibility for users on Bybit, the go-to hub for all things MNT. The New Teleportation Hub for Multi-Chain Liquidity Mantle Super Portal is Mantle’s native cross-chain infrastructure that enables seamless movement of $MNT tokens across different blockchain ecosystems. It functions as a unified bridging interface that allows users to transfer $MNT between networks like Ethereum and Solana without dealing with fragmented workflows or complex processes. By abstracting away technical complexity, Mantle Super Portal makes $MNT a natively interoperable asset, allowing users to access DeFi liquidity, deploy capital across on-chain and centralized exchange environments, and participate in various trading and yield opportunities, all while maintaining consistent security and execution quality across networks. The Bybit Express: Seamless Access to the MNT Powerhouse With Mantle Super Portal, Bybit now supports MNT with native Solana network deposits and withdrawals, eliminating the need for complex bridging workflows. Users can trade MNT on Solana chain directly on Bybit Alpha and Byreal while benefiting from enhanced incentives and seamless connectivity to Solana’s powerful DeFi ecosystem. To celebrate the integration, Bybit Alpha is featuring a series of MNT-themed events and features to bridge traders to MNT opportunities. MNT Trading : Trading MNT on Bybit Alpha with Solana network support Becoming a Liquidity Provider (LP) : Depositing assets into the MNT-USDC pool for up to 115% APR as LPs MNT Token Splash : From now until February 11, 2026, participants can trade to earn a share of 100,000 USDT in rewards Scaling Cross-Ecosystem Liquidity and Application Mantle’s latest Solana upgrade unlocks possibilities for all ecosystem players. With liquidity and distribution now flowing between multiple chains, Mantle is evolving into a true cross-ecosystem infrastructure layer, powering Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, payment rails, collateral solutions, and incentive mechanisms that redefine on-chain yield opportunities. For traders and builders exploring the boundaries of future-ready cross-chain infrastructure, Bybit, Byreal, and top ecosystem partners will be going live from Consensus Hong Kong 2026 to cover RWA tokenization, on-chain finance, and an insider look at Mantle’s CeFi and DeFi strategy. Terms and conditions apply. Users may explore Bybit Alpha for more information. #Bybit / #CryptoArk / #IMakeIt 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 Mantle’s Cross-Chain Era on Solana: Onboarding the Bybit Express to Mantle Super Portal first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

30 Jan 2026, 11:43

Binance Shifts SAFU Reserve Entirely Into Bitcoin

The exchange said it will use treasury reserves to replenish the fund if its value falls below $800 million. Binance is also working to complete restitution for South Korea’s GoFi users this year after regulatory approval of its acquisition of Gopax, with the crypto for repayments already set aside under third-party custody and reflecting the original asset amounts lost. The exchange is still awaiting additional approvals from South Korean authorities before distributions can begin. Binance Shifts SAFU Into Bitcoin Binance is re-denominating its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) entirely into Bitcoin over the next 30 days. In an open letter to the crypto community, Binance framed the move as a statement of conviction that Bitcoin is the core long-term asset of the crypto ecosystem rather than just another trading product. The exchange said it will maintain SAFU at roughly $1 billion and will use its own treasury reserves to top up the fund if volatility pushes its value below $800 million. SAFU launched in 2018 and was funded through a portion of Binance trading fees. It is designed to reimburse users in “extreme” scenarios like hacks or critical platform failures. The fund was used in 2019 after a security breach resulted in the theft of around 7,000 BTC, with Binance covering all of the affected user losses without reducing account balances. What is SAFU (Source: Binance) Since then, the exchange consistently positioned SAFU as a central pillar of its trust and risk-management framework, as user assets are held on a fully backed 1:1 basis and the fund itself is stored separately in cold wallets. Binance plans to stand by the industry through market cycles and uncertainty, and future reviews could consider allocations to other “core assets,” including BNB. The shift is an evolution in SAFU’s composition. In 2024, Binance moved the fund’s stablecoin exposure from BUSD to USDC after the wind-down of its branded stablecoin, due to liquidity and reliability concerns while keeping the fund dollar-pegged. The latest transition removes stablecoins altogether, aligning user protection reserves with Bitcoin as a long-term store of value. Once completed, the roughly $1 billion allocation will equate to more than 12,000 BTC at current prices, pushing Binance’s total Bitcoin holdings well beyond those of publicly listed firms like Tesla and Trump Media. Binance said the SAFU Bitcoin will be custodied in its licensed clearing house regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market, and that users can verify the fund’s balance on-chain as the conversion is completed within the coming month. Top public Bitcoin treasury companies (Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NET) Binance Targets GoFi Repayments in 2026 Binance is also aiming to complete restitution for South Korea’s GoFi users this year, which will resolve one of the longest-running liquidity crises in the country’s crypto sector. In a recent interview , Binance Head of APAC SB Seker said there is broad alignment among users, regulators, and other stakeholders to finally close the chapter after years of delays. GoFi was a DeFi lending service operated under South Korean exchange Gopax, and it froze withdrawals in 2023 after its partner Genesis Global Capital halted withdrawals and later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The fallout left thousands of South Korean investors unable to access their funds and triggered a prolonged regulatory and operational standoff. Binance stepped in by acquiring a majority stake in Gopax in February of 2023, with the stated intention of injecting capital to make GoFi users whole, but South Korean regulators delayed approving the deal until late last year. After receiving regulatory approval, Binance confirmed that the crypto earmarked for restitution is already set aside under third-party custody and that it will soon disclose the wallet address publicly. According to a notice from Gopax, the wallet contains 11 different cryptocurrencies mirroring the exact quantities lost by GoFi users, including 775.11 BTC, 5,766.62 ETH, and 706,184.46 USDC. Rather than compensating users based on fiat values at the time of the freeze, the restitution reflects the original crypto amounts. This means that beneficiaries stand to gain from the appreciation in assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2023. BTC’s price action over the past 3 years (Source: CoinCodex) While the assets are ready, Binance still requires additional approvals from multiple South Korean government agencies before distributions can begin. The exchange is also finalizing a repayment structure designed to minimize operational and transaction costs for all parties involved. Seker said the goal is to complete the process within the year, ending a situation that has weighed on users, regulators, and Binance’s own ambitions in the country. Once repayments are finalized, Binance plans to focus on stabilizing and upgrading Gopax by applying its global technical and security standards. Broader operational changes or a potential rebrand under the Binance name are still under consideration but are not yet confirmed. In the longer term, the company sees growth opportunities in South Korea across stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, and institutional crypto adoption.