Invest ideasNews
28 Jan 2026, 18:31
Tether Targets Physical Gold With 10–15% Portfolio Allocation
Gold prices have climbed sharply in 2026, rising 92% over the last 12 months and trading at $5,279 per ounce as of Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. EST, just as Tether signals a deeper move into physical bullion. Tether Weighs Gold and Bitcoin as Dual Stores of Value According to Reuters reporter Polina Devitt, Tether
28 Jan 2026, 18:00
Tether Will Keep Adding to $24 Billion Gold Stash Held in Former Nuclear Bunker, Says CEO
Stablecoin issuer Tether is now one of the world's biggest gold holders, keeping its precious metal in a former Swiss nuclear bunker.
28 Jan 2026, 18:00
Bitcoin Breaks Into State Policy As South Dakota Weighs 10% Allocation
South Dakota has a new bill on the table that would let the state put up to 10% of certain public funds into Bitcoin. Reports say Rep. Logan Manhart filed House Bill 1155 this week, restarting an effort that stalled last year. Related Reading: PayPal Survey: 4 In 10 US Merchants Now Accept Crypto The measure would change state investment rules to give the State Investment Council explicit authority to hold Bitcoin in its portfolio. Lawmaker Files Bill For Bitcoin Reserve According to filings and public posts, Manhart’s proposal mirrors a move he tried in 2025 and keeps a clear cap on exposure: 10% of the moneys made available for investment. The bill text says the limit “may not exceed 10%” and lays out options for how the exposure could be taken, including direct holdings or regulated products. A South Dakota lawmaker is reviving a push to bring bitcoin into state finances. Republican Rep. Logan Manhart introduced House Bill 1155, which would allow the state to invest up to 10% of eligible public funds in bitcoin. It’s a renewed effort after a similar bill stalled… pic.twitter.com/hPBbiSB6zT — Timmy Shen (@timmyhmshen) January 28, 2026 The new push comes after last year’s proposal was deferred in committee. Reports note that HB 1202 was put aside during the 2025 session and did not advance, and Manhart signaled he would try again in 2026. That history matters because it shows the idea has support in some corners but also faces practical and political hurdles. What The Bill Allows Based on reports, the bill not only sets a 10% ceiling but also tries to handle custody and security concerns. It mentions requirements such as using qualified custodians or exchange-traded products, encrypted storage, and multi-signature controls. Those rules are aimed at lowering the risks that come with holding a volatile asset with public money. Supporters say Bitcoin could act as a hedge and add a new type of asset to the state’s mix. Opponents point to volatility and possible legal or accounting issues when state funds are used in this way. Related Reading: Record Pain: Bitcoin Investors Suffer $4.5B Loss, Most In 3 Years The debate will likely hinge on how the State Investment Council evaluates risk and which funds would be considered “eligible” under the bill’s language. Political And Financial Pushback There is practical pushback from fiscal watchdogs and some lawmakers who worry about public perception. Money managed for things like pensions carries duty of care. That duty was stressed last session and will be raised again now that the bill is back. The point has been made plainly and will shape committee hearings. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
28 Jan 2026, 17:17
ECB monitors euro strength as rising currency risks pushing inflation lower
European policymakers are keeping a close eye on the euro’s recent climb and how it might dampen price increases across the region, a development that could shape decisions on borrowing costs in the months ahead. Francois Villeroy de Galhau, who sits on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, said the bank is tracking the currency’s gains and will factor this into rate choices going forward. The French central banker mad e cl ear that while the ECB doesn’t aim for any particular exchange rate, officials are worried that additional strength in the euro could push prices down further. Currency gains raise inflation worries “We are closely monitoring this appreciation of the euro and its possible consequences in terms of lower inflation,” Villeroy wrote on LinkedIn . “This is one of the factors that will guide our monetary policy and our decisions on interest rates over the coming months.” The comments come as prices in the euro area hover slightly under the ECB’s 2% goal, with forecasts showing inflation staying beneath that mark both this year and next. That’s left some officials especially worried about anything that might push prices even lower. Several other Governing Council members have raised similar flags as the euro has gained ground against the dollar. Martin Kocher, who leads Austria’s central bank, told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday that the ECB needs to watch whether the currency keeps climbing. Those remarks came just hours before President Donald Trump said he wasn’t worried about the dollar’s drop , which sent the euro briefly past $1.20 on Tuesday for the first time since June 2021. By Wednesday, it was sitting just under that threshold but had still jumped 2% against the dollar so far this year. Luis de Guindos, the ECB’s vice president, said back in July that $1.20 was “perfectly acceptable” but warned that anything higher “would be much more complicated.” Yet Gediminas Simkus, who heads Lithuania’s central bank, told Econostream in an interview out Wednesday that calling $1.19 a trigger for policy changes would be an “oversimplification.” Market watchers expect these currency movements to weigh heavily on the bank’s next steps. Bloomberg Economics noted that the ECB is set to hold rates steady at its Feb. 4-5 meeting, but the euro’s latest jump will likely be front and center in Frankfurt. Policymakers probably won’t sound tough in ways that could push the currency higher and may instead highlight the economic drag from a stronger euro. Carsten Brzeski, who leads macro research at ING in Frankfurt, said more gains in the common currency might lead some to call for looser policy. “If the strengthening continues, calls for a rate cut will get louder,” he said. Villeroy pointed to uncertainty around American economic choices as a key driver of these swings. Writing on LinkedIn, he said the dollar’s slide reflects doubts about policy choices coming out of Washington. “The dollar is falling significantly against most currencies, including the euro,” Villeroy said. “This is a sign of reduced confidence in light of the unpredictability of US economic policy.” Digital euro push gains momentum amid geopolitical tensions To shield Europe’s economy from such outside uncertainty, the ECB is moving faster on plans for financial independence. Piero Cipollone, an ECB executive board member, told Spanish newspaper El País in an interview shared by the ECB on Wednesday that rising global tensions make the case stronger for a European-run digital payments network. He described the planned digital euro as “public money in digital form” and said it’s needed alongside cash to address Europe’s increasingly scattered payments setup. Cipollone noted that cash made up about 24% of daily transaction value in 2024, a sharp fall from 40% in 2019, and said the ECB must adjust how it provides money as a public service. He connected that job directly to global politics, warning that the “weaponisation of every conceivable tool” and growing tensions mean Europe needs a retail payment system “fully under our control” built on European technology rather than outside providers. The ECB official stressed that merchants currently accepting digital payments “will have to accept” the digital euro, pointing to its legal tender status. Cipollone pushed back against waiting for a private alternative, notin g th e ECB has “been calling on the private sector to come up with a pan-European solution for many years now.” His remarks followed a Jan. 11 open letter from about 70 economists and policymakers asking EU lawmakers to “let the public interest prevail” on the digital euro and warning that more delays could deepen Europe’s reliance on major private and non-European payment providers. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.
28 Jan 2026, 16:49
Gold Price Prediction as Tether Allocates 15% Into Surging Gold
Gold has surged to yet another record high past $5,300 per ounce as geopolitical tensions, weakening confidence in the U.S. dollar, and jitters around central bank independence drive global investors toward safe-haven assets. Among the buyers riding that historic rally is Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, which is significantly expanding its exposure to physical gold. Speaking to Reuters , Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company now plans to allocate 10%–15% of its investment portfolio to physical gold, deepening a multi-year strategy that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated as global tensions rose. Tether already holds around 130 metric tons of physical gold, including 27 tons added in Q4, and has been purchasing roughly two tons every week. “It’s hard to decide which one I like the most,” Ardoino said of choosing between Bitcoin and gold. “It is almost like you have two children and have to decide which one is more beautiful.” Gold Surges as Investors Seek Safety Tether’s bullish stance comes as demand for gold reaches levels not seen in modern financial history. This month alone, bullion has soared over 20% and climbed past multiple price milestones. Gold price chart (Source: CoinCodex) Analysts say the move reflects a broad re-evaluation of safe-haven assets, particularly as both gold and U.S. equities trade near historic highs. “The world is not in a happy place at this moment,” Ardoino said. “Gold is making all-time highs every single day. Why? Because everyone is scared.” How Tether Uses Its Gold Reserves Tether’s gold holdings back two of its products: USDT, the world’s largest dollar-backed stablecoin with $186 billion in circulation. XAUT, Tether’s gold-backed token, with $2.7 billion in supply. The company said it ramped up gold purchases last year to support demand for both assets, particularly XAUT, which has benefited from the broader rally in gold-linked products. Tether maintains its bullion in Swiss vaults and insists on retaining full ownership of the physical gold it holds. While Ardoino would not disclose the total size of Tether’s investment portfolio, he confirmed the company’s long-term direction: holding around 10% of reserves in Bitcoin and 10%–15% in physical gold as part of a broader diversification strategy. Gold’s Record Run Shows No Signs of Slowing With bullion up 22% year-to-date and 64% over the past year, the metal shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Daily chart for the price of gold (Source: TradingView) An ascending price channel has formed on Gold’s daily chart as the metal continued to print higher highs and higher lows over the past fortnight. That rising channel saw the price of gold break above a minor resistance level at $5,184.41. Following the break above this technical barrier, the metal’s price has faced some selling pressure. Nevertheless, the rally could persist over the short term if gold closes today’s trading session above the $5,184,41 resistance. This could give it the technical foundation needed to rise even higher. Conversely, a drop back below the resistance could result in some profit taking that might push the price of gold down to the nearest support at $4,552.10. Looking at technical indicators, it seems a bullish scenario is more likely to play out over the coming 48-72 hours. Specifically, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) show that buyers have the upper hand over sellers in terms of momentum and strength. The MACD line is breaking away above the MACD Signal line, which is indicative of strengthening momentum. Traders will just want to watch for any signs of the gap between the two technical indicators shrinking, because this could be an early warning sign that momentum is starting to turn. Meanwhile, the RSI line is positioned well above its Simple Moving Average (SMA) line. While this is usually seen as a sign of overwhelming buyer strength, the current RSI reading near 90 suggests overextended conditions. This could be followed by a pullback. There have, however, been instances in the past where the RSI remains high for sustained periods of time. This is usually when a price is pumping.
28 Jan 2026, 16:41
Bybit Expands Payment Solutions With Launch of Bybit Card in Georgia
BitcoinWorld Bybit Expands Payment Solutions With Launch of Bybit Card in Georgia Dubai, UAE, January 28th, 2026, Chainwire Bybit , the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Bybit Card in Georgia , giving residents a new way to spend cryptocurrency at merchants that accept Mastercard, subject to applicable subject to applicable terms, conditions, and regional availability. “Georgia is one of the most dynamic markets in the region, and we’re excited to introduce the Bybit Card here,” said Tekla Iashagashvili, Country Manager of Bybit Georgia . “This launch makes it easier than ever for people to use their digital assets in everyday life, with the security, flexibility, and rewards that Bybit is known for.” “The launch of Bybit Card in Georgia is another important step in the development of digital payments and strengthening financial inclusion,” said David Zgudadze, Vice President for Mastercard in Georgia and Armenia. “Mastercard constantly supports innovations that enable consumers to use crypto assets safely and easily in everyday payments. Such partnerships strengthen the financial ecosystem and promote technological progress in the country.” The rollout marks an expansion of Bybit’s payment solutions in the region, enabling users to use their crypto holdings for everyday purchases. The Bybit Card offers instant virtual card access upon approval, supports multiple cryptocurrencies, and provides secure spending with EMV 3-D Secure protection, competitive conversion rates, and broad global acceptance. In supported regions, the card can also be linked to digital wallets such as Google Pay for contactless payments. A physical card is also available, subject to availability. To mark the launch, Bybit is introducing a 10% cashback promotion for eligible cardholders, capped at the USD equivalent of up to $150 for new users and up to $75 for existing users. Eligibility requires an initial deposit of at least USD 100 (or equivalent) within 30 days of card approval. Participation is limited to users who have completed Individual Identity Verification Level 1 or Business Verification. Only payments made using cryptocurrency are eligible for cashback, and transactions outside the eligible categories – including withdrawals to e-wallets, prepaid wallets, or holding accounts — do not qualify. “Our mission is to empower users with seamless, secure, and rewarding crypto payment experiences,” said Sophie Chen, Head of Marketing for Bybit’s Payment Business Unit. “Expanding the Bybit Card to Georgia reinforces our commitment to bridging the gap between digital assets and everyday spending, ensuring more people can access the benefits of modern financial innovation.” “The launch of the Bybit Card in Georgia is an important milestone for the country’s digital finance ecosystem,” said Salim Dhanani, CEO & Co-Founder of Pave Bank. “Pave Bank is proud to support this initiative by enabling compliant banking infrastructure and payments connectivity. This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering innovation, supporting the regulated adoption of digital assets, and connecting global fintech solutions with the Georgian market.” The Bybit Card offers instant access through a virtual version upon approval, with a physical card available for wider use. It provides seamless crypto spending at competitive rates, with full Mastercard global acceptance. The launch of the Bybit Card in Georgia follows Bybit’s broader commitment to offering innovative financial tools that bridge cryptocurrency and traditional spending. More information is available here . #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #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 Contact Head of PR Tony Au Bybit [email protected] This post Bybit Expands Payment Solutions With Launch of Bybit Card in Georgia first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
