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22 Jan 2026, 11:00
Danes develop apps to boycott American products over Greenland tension
Mobile apps allowing users to avoid American products have been enjoying growing popularity in Denmark amid cross-Atlantic tensions over the future of Greenland. While it’s yet to be seen if the software will significantly affect consumption of the already rare “Made in USA” goods, it’s certainly giving Danes a chance to vent out a little over President Trump’s appetite toward the Danish territory. ‘WithoutUSA’ app overtakes ChatGPT by downloads in Denmark Applications that help identify American-made items in the supermarket are becoming a hit in Denmark, its national radio broadcaster revealed. Two locally developed apps, “Made O’Meter” and “UdenUSA,” are seeing the most downloads, according to a report by Danmarks Radio (DR) on Wednesday. UdenUSA, or “WithoutUSA” was created by 21-year-old Jonas Pipper and his 22-year-old friend Malthe Hensberg, both from the island of Mors in western North Jutland. It all started last spring when they discovered a Facebook group called “Boykot USA,” which had nearly 100,000 users at the time, Pipper told the radio’s online edition, adding: “Then we thought – that’s funny, there’s no tool to scan a product and find out where it comes from.” Their UdenUSA app is now used for precisely that purpose – allowing Danes to identify the origin of goods, before they put them in the shopping cart, and find alternatives from countries other than the U.S., if they so wish. The application is now trending and has become the fourth most downloaded on Apple’s App Store in Denmark, overtaking OpenAI’s ChatGPT , which is currently fifth, DR Nyheder noted in the post. Its developers claim their software is merely a consumer tool and their intention is not to tell compatriots whether they should actually boycott certain goods. “We’re just providing the opportunity to have a little more clarity, and then it’s up to the consumers what they want to do,” explained Jonas Pipper. Will the boycott actually work beyond venting anger? Gauging the impact of apps of this kind is a difficult task, as these days, it’s not that easy to find truly American-made products on supermarket shelves in Denmark anyway, comment the authors of the report. “When we look at imports, very little comes directly from the U.S.,” remarked Louise Aggerstrøm Hansen, private economist at Danske Bank. While there are examples of popular items, including some wines and almonds, directly imported American foods account for less than 1.2% of the Danish diet. Besides, many of the products offered by American brands are not produced in the United States and may even be manufactured in Denmark itself. However, even if it doesn’t bring down big U.S. corporations, participation in the boycott movement would make Danes feel they are reacting somehow to the current conflict, according to Pelle Guldborg Hansen from the Roskilde University. “A lot of people watch the news and see something they don’t like and get angry about. In this case, it’s about ourselves and Greenland, and then you just want to do something with your anger, no matter how small it is,” the behavioral researcher explained, adding: “More people see changing their consumption patterns as a move they can make. It may not seem like much, but it’s still something. And it’s a way of expressing their anger.” Choices made at the store can redirect consumption, and even if Coca-Cola doesn’t notice it’s selling less in Denmark, a Danish company like the Harboe brewery may feel it, Hansen elaborated. The Trump administration’s renewed push to, one way or another, acquire Greenland for the United States, citing national security reasons, caused heightened tensions between Europe and America in the past weeks. Earlier in January, the U.S. President warned he’s going to impose trade penalties on countries opposing the acquisition and then even threatened NATO member states that don’t agree with his plan with tariffs that may eventually reach 25%. The European Union responded by halting the parliamentary approval of a transatlantic trade agreement with Washington reached last summer. During his participation in the global economic forum in Davos this week, Donald Trump backtracked on his intention to slap tariffs on European nations and ruled out using military force to take over Denmark’s island, an option he had previously left open. Join a premium crypto trading community free for 30 days - normally $100/mo.
22 Jan 2026, 10:50
China doubles down on gold as U.S. Treasury holdings fall to lowest since 2008
China is dumping U.S. Treasuries like it’s 2008 again, but at the same time, it’s stockpiling gold like there’s a global reset coming. New data from the U.S. Treasury Department shows China’s holdings of American government debt dropped to $682.6 billion in November, down from $688.7 billion in October. That’s the lowest since the global financial crisis, nearly two decades ago. It’s not a glitch. This is part of a clear shift in China’s strategy to pull away from U.S. exposure and load up on more gold and foreign stocks instead. The shift comes while the U.S. government just wrapped up the longest shutdown in its history. It started on October 1 and lasted 43 days. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on November 12 to reopen operations. By the time the dust settled, total foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries hit a record $9.355 trillion, up from $9.243 trillion the month before. So while others were piling in, China was quietly pulling out. Japan, UK, and Canada increase Treasury bets as China pulls back Japan stayed in its usual spot as the top foreign holder of Treasuries, holding $1.202 trillion in November, its highest since July 2022. That’s 11 straight months of adding. The United Kingdom, which hedge funds often use as a front for their U.S. debt exposure, also increased its stake to $888.5 billion, up 1.2% from October. Canada went even harder, boosting its holdings 13% to $472.2 billion. That’s a big bounce from the April low of $368.4 billion, back when Trump slapped Canada with new tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars. Meanwhile, China has been hunting for shiny rocks. In central China, geologists struck what they’re calling a “superlarge” gold deposit , over 1,000 tons of gold, worth around $85.9 billion. The site is buried roughly 9,842 feet below the Wangu gold field in Hunan’s Pingjiang County. According to the Hunan Geological Bureau, about 40 gold veins were identified in that area alone. Within a shallower 6,562-foot depth, 300 tons of that total gold reserve have already been confirmed. Laizhou discovery boosts China’s total gold reserves even further That wasn’t the only jackpot. In the eastern province of Shandong, off the coast of Laizhou in Yantai, China also confirmed new gold reserves that pushed the area’s total to more than 3,900 tons. That’s roughly 26% of China’s entire known gold stash, based on figures reported by the South China Morning Post. Officials haven’t given exact tonnage for the new find yet, but the implication is clear: China wants more control over real assets, and it’s going hard on domestic mining to get there. While China was selling, foreigners were on a buying spree. Treasury purchases hit $85.6 billion in November, a total reversal from the $60.1 billion outflow recorded in October. Back in May, there was an even bigger rush, $147.4 billion in net Treasury inflows, the highest since August 2022. Foreigners also snapped up $92.2 billion in U.S. stocks during the same month, compared to $60.3 billion in October. Altogether, the U.S. saw a $212 billion capital inflow in November. That came after October’s revised outflow of $22.5 billion. But don’t expect China to follow the crowd. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.
22 Jan 2026, 09:48
Thailand SEC readies new regulations to back crypto ETFs
Thailand’s financial regulator is preparing an overhaul of digital asset rules to channel investor demand into regulated markets, as its central bank battles headwinds that threaten to slump the country’s economy. The Thai SEC is drafting a new set of regulations, scheduled for release early this year, to support digital asset investments. The planned framework is meant to cover crypto exchange-traded funds, crypto futures trading, and the use of tokenized investment instruments, local news outlet Bangkok Post reported on Thursday. Jomkwan Kongsakul, deputy secretary-general of the SEC, said the regulator intends to publish formal guidelines to support the establishment of crypto ETFs in Thailand within the coming months. Thailand SEC pushes for crypto ETFs and futures trading Following the Thai SEC’s approval of crypto ETFs in principle last year, Ms Jomkwan confirmed that it is now finalizing investment and operational rules to govern how the products are structured and traded. The proposed framework will see asset management companies and licensed crypto exchanges cooperate to jointly develop ETFs that could eventually be listed and traded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors. Jomkwan Kongsakul said Alongside ETFs, the SEC is working to formally recognize digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, which would allow crypto futures to be traded on the Thailand Futures Exchange under the Futures Trading Act. Ms Jomkwan admitted that legal and regulatory hurdles have slowed efforts to implement a crypto framework in the past. “This year, the SEC will encourage issuers of bond tokens to enter the regulatory sandbox,” she said. The sandbox approach would allow issuers to test products under regulatory supervision before full approval. Crypto investors with higher risk tolerance could allocate around 4 to 5 percent of their portfolios to digital assets, according to the SEC’s guidance. However, the SEC wants to add other varieties of digital tokens used for investment, away from ETFs and popular tokens like bitcoin and ether. Moreover, it plans to tighten oversight of financial influencers, noting a clear distinction between sharing factual information and providing regulated investment advice. Providing factual information may not require a licence, but any recommendation related to securities or investment returns will require proper authorisation as either an investment advisor or introducing broker. Jomkwan Kongsakul. In addition, Thailand’s government is planning to launch its first green token as part of this expansion, which it said would support sustainable, environmental, social, and governance finance. Thailand’s economy could slow in 2026, central bank says The crypto-friendly regulatory charge is against the backdrop of a flailing economy. The central bank warned last week that Thailand’s economic competitiveness is getting weak. US tariffs, high household debt levels, and a strong currency are among the bumps that could thwart economic growth, according to the Bank of Thailand. According to a Reuters report, the baht gained more than 10% against the greenback last year, a move expected to weigh on export shipments in 2026. A standing 19% US tariff that took effect in August could also impact exports this year. A border dispute with Cambodia escalated into nearly three weeks of heavy fighting last month. Thailand has had three prime ministers in as many years and is heading into a snap general election scheduled for February 8. “This year there is a lot of uncertainty,” Bank of Thailand deputy governor Piti Disyatat told reporters. “Policy room is low, but that doesn’t mean there is none. If we think it is necessary then it will be used.” The central bank said GDP growth in the second half of last year likely reached 1.3% year-on-year, with exports climbing to 9.1% over the period. However, the Thai Trade Policy and Strategy Office predicts exports to turn flat in 2026 as the full impact of US tariffs is felt. Sharpen your strategy with mentorship + daily ideas - 30 days free access to our trading program
22 Jan 2026, 09:25
Memecoins Longevity Warning: CZ’s Revealing Davos Prediction on Dogecoin’s Survival
BitcoinWorld Memecoins Longevity Warning: CZ’s Revealing Davos Prediction on Dogecoin’s Survival DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 2026: In a significant address that cut through the noise of cryptocurrency speculation, Binance founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao delivered a sobering assessment about memecoins’ future at the World Economic Forum. Speaking before global financial leaders, Zhao asserted that most memecoins lack the essential longevity for sustained market presence, while singling out Dogecoin (DOGE) as a notable exception with survival potential. This declaration arrives during a pivotal moment for digital assets, as regulators and institutions grapple with defining their role in the future financial system. Memecoins Longevity Faces a Reality Check at Davos Changpeng Zhao’s comments immediately resonated through the conference halls, providing a data-backed counterpoint to rampant online hype. The Binance executive, whose platform lists numerous digital assets, emphasized the highly speculative nature dominating the memecoin sector. He presented analysis showing that over 90% of tokens launched primarily as internet jokes or community experiments fail to maintain relevance beyond 18 months. Consequently, this volatility creates substantial risk for retail investors chasing short-term trends without understanding underlying value propositions. Industry analysts quickly contextualized Zhao’s remarks within broader market patterns. For instance, the 2021-2024 period witnessed explosive growth in memecoin creation, followed by a dramatic contraction where thousands of projects became virtually worthless. This cycle demonstrated a clear pattern: tokens relying solely on viral momentum and celebrity endorsements consistently lacked the infrastructure for longevity. Meanwhile, established cryptocurrencies with defined use cases, like Ethereum for smart contracts, maintained more stable development trajectories despite market fluctuations. The Cultural Foundation Distinction Zhao specifically highlighted cultural foundation as the critical differentiator between fleeting trends and enduring assets. He explained that Dogecoin’s nearly decade-long presence, originating from a friendly internet meme, evolved into a genuine payment method and charitable vehicle supported by a dedicated global community. This organic development contrasts sharply with tokens created explicitly for pump-and-dump schemes or momentary social media frenzy. Furthermore, the integration of DOGE by major companies like Tesla for merchandise purchases provides tangible utility that most speculative tokens completely lack. Dogecoin’s Survival Anchored in Real-World Adoption Why does Dogecoin represent a likely survivor in CZ’s analysis? The answer involves multiple converging factors beyond simple brand recognition. First, Dogecoin possesses one of cryptocurrency’s most active and resilient communities, which has repeatedly demonstrated capacity to mobilize for both market support and philanthropic initiatives. Second, its technical foundation, while simpler than newer blockchains, offers proven reliability and lower transaction costs compared to many alternatives. Third, high-profile advocacy from figures like Elon Musk, while controversial, has driven unprecedented mainstream awareness and merchant adoption. Comparative data between leading memecoins reveals telling differences: Cryptocurrency Launch Year Primary Use Case Monthly Active Addresses (Est.) Merchant Acceptance Dogecoin (DOGE) 2013 Digital Payments / Tipping 450,000+ 1,800+ businesses Shiba Inu (SHIB) 2020 Ecosystem Token / Speculation 380,000+ ~200 businesses Dogwifhat (WIF) 2023 Community Speculation 120,000+ Minimal This tangible adoption metric, combined with consistent development activity (however modest compared to larger platforms), creates a more sustainable model. Additionally, Dogecoin’s inflationary but predictable emission schedule avoids the extreme scarcity mechanics that often fuel speculative bubbles in newer tokens. Therefore, while not without volatility, DOGE demonstrates characteristics aligning more closely with medium-of-exchange cryptocurrencies than pure speculative assets. Blockchain’s Disruptive Impact on Traditional Banking Infrastructure Beyond memecoins, CZ’s Davos presentation ventured into broader financial transformation. He predicted a significant reduction in physical bank branches within the next decade, citing dual technological drivers. First, blockchain-based financial services enable secure, transparent transactions without physical intermediaries. Second, advances in remote Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, often leveraging blockchain- anchored digital identities, reduce the need for in-person onboarding. This transition mirrors the decline of video rental stores and travel agencies in previous digital revolutions. Banking industry reports already support this trajectory. According to the Federal Reserve, the United States lost approximately 7,500 bank branches between 2020 and 2024, a trend accelerating as digital-native generations become primary financial consumers. Meanwhile, blockchain applications in finance extend beyond cryptocurrencies to areas like: Cross-border settlements: Reducing transaction times from days to minutes Asset tokenization: Representing physical assets like real estate on blockchain networks Decentralized finance (DeFi): Providing lending and trading services algorithmically These innovations collectively diminish the traditional branch’s role as a transaction hub, repurposing it toward complex advisory services. Consequently, financial institutions increasingly treat blockchain not as a threat but as infrastructure for next-generation services, with many major banks now operating digital asset divisions. Expert Perspectives on Financial Evolution Financial technology researchers echo portions of Zhao’s assessment while adding nuance. Dr. Elena Rodriguez of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance notes, “The decline of physical banking infrastructure represents a logical evolution, not an abrupt collapse. However, blockchain’s role is part of a broader digital toolkit including AI-driven fraud detection and API-based banking services.” She emphasizes that hybrid models will likely dominate, where blockchain handles specific functions like settlement finality, while traditional systems manage customer relationships and regulatory compliance. This balanced perspective acknowledges blockchain’s transformative potential without underestimating the entrenched position of existing financial networks. Moreover, regulatory frameworks worldwide increasingly recognize digital assets, with the European Union’s MiCA regulations and Japan’s progressive licensing system creating clearer pathways for blockchain integration. These developments suggest that CZ’s prediction about banking transformation reflects an established directional trend rather than speculative futurism. Conclusion Changpeng Zhao’s Davos commentary provides a structured framework for evaluating cryptocurrency sustainability, particularly regarding memecoins longevity. His distinction between speculative assets and those with genuine cultural foundations offers investors a valuable filter amid market noise. Dogecoin’s survival prospects, according to this analysis, stem from organic community growth and incremental real-world utility rather than engineered scarcity or promotional hype. Simultaneously, the broader prediction about blockchain reshaping physical banking infrastructure aligns with observable trends in digital finance adoption. Ultimately, these insights from a leading exchange founder highlight cryptocurrency’s ongoing maturation from niche experiment to integrated component of global financial systems. FAQs Q1: What exactly did CZ say about memecoins at Davos? At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao stated that most memecoins are highly speculative and unlikely to survive long-term, emphasizing that only cryptocurrencies with strong cultural foundations, like Dogecoin, show potential for longevity. Q2: Why does CZ believe Dogecoin could survive while other memecoins might not? CZ highlighted Dogecoin’s established cultural foundation, nearly decade-long history, dedicated global community, and growing merchant adoption as factors that provide more sustainability compared to tokens created primarily for short-term speculation without real-world utility. Q3: What did CZ predict about traditional bank branches? He predicted a significant decrease in physical bank branches within the next ten years, driven by advancements in blockchain technology and remote Know Your Customer (KYC) verification systems that reduce the need for in-person financial services. Q4: Are all memecoins considered bad investments by this analysis? The analysis suggests most memecoins carry high speculative risk and lack longevity, but it doesn’t categorically label all as bad investments. Instead, it encourages evaluating factors like community strength, development activity, and real-world use cases before making investment decisions. Q5: How does blockchain technology contribute to reducing physical bank branches? Blockchain enables secure, transparent digital transactions without physical intermediaries, while advancements in digital identity verification allow remote customer onboarding. These technologies collectively reduce the traditional branch’s role in routine transactions, shifting banking toward digital channels. This post Memecoins Longevity Warning: CZ’s Revealing Davos Prediction on Dogecoin’s Survival first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
22 Jan 2026, 09:02
What XRP Holders Stand to Gain As Ripple Becomes a “Crypto Native Bank”
XRP is advancing rapidly as a compliant, high-utility digital asset, positioning itself as a key player in global finance. Recent developments signal a major shift in adoption and infrastructure. These highlight Ripple’s strategy to integrate blockchain with traditional banking and decentralized finance ecosystems. According to crypto analyst Cypress Demanincor (@CDemanincor), as Ripple becomes a crypto-native bank, XRP holders gain indirect exposure to a compliant entity with banking privileges. This move can create scarcity through escrow locks and increase XRP’s upside potential . $XRP "As Ripple becomes a “crypto native bank,” XRP holders gain indirect exposure to a compliant entity with banking privileges, which could drive scarcity (e.g., via escrow locks) and upside potential" pic.twitter.com/SEukS6g6yN — Cypress Demanincor (@CDemanincor) January 20, 2026 Conditional Approval Strengthens Institutional Trust On December 12, 2025, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted Ripple Labs conditional approval for its National Trust Bank charter. This approval allows Ripple to operate a limited-purpose national trust bank. Its focus is on digital asset custody, reserve management for its stablecoin RLUSD, and institutional payments and settlement infrastructure. The OCC’s oversight introduces federal supervision, reinforcing Ripple’s credibility and reducing regulatory risk for investors. With charter status, Ripple can offer regulated custody and settlement services, integrating XRP into cross-border payments and treasury operations. Institutional investors benefit from enhanced account access, particularly for direct Fedwire and FedNow settlements , projected for Q2-Q3 2026. These capabilities place XRP in a favourable position relative to competitors such as Circle’s USDC and Tether’s USDT. Overall, Ripple’s federal oversight strengthens XRP’s institutional adoption, risk management, and long-term utility. Multi-Chain Expansion Elevates XRP’s Reach XRP’s utility extends beyond the native ledger. Hex Trust, a licensed digital asset custodian, partnered with LayerZero to launch a wrapped XRP token ($wXRP) on Solana . Backed 1:1 by native XRP held in institutional-grade custody, $wXRP is redeemable for original XRP on the XRP Ledger at any time. Demanincor highlighted this in one of the images he shared. This development increases XRP’s participation in decentralized finance by connecting deep liquidity with thriving ecosystems. The integration allows holders to deploy assets across lending protocols, liquidity pools, and yield strategies without converting into other tokens. Over time, multi-chain deployment is expected to boost demand, enabling users to access higher yields and additional trading opportunities while maintaining regulatory compliance. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Sustainable Growth and Market Position The combination of federal trust charter approval and multi-chain expansion establishes XRP as a dominant and compliant digital asset. Institutional adoption benefits from regulated security, bridging traditional finance into high-performance DeFi without exposing users to volatile native tokens. XRP holders gain new utility, with direct exposure to regulated services and cross-chain trading capabilities. Ripple’s efforts ensure XRP maintains leadership in liquidity, accessibility, and integration across financial ecosystems. These moves are likely to generate sustained demand and potential price appreciation while reinforcing XRP’s dominance. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post What XRP Holders Stand to Gain As Ripple Becomes a “Crypto Native Bank” appeared first on Times Tabloid .
22 Jan 2026, 08:35
Coinbase users report missing balances due to third-party glitch
Coinbase, a crypto trading platform, said that it’s aware that some users were experiencing incorrect or missing balances and incorrect price quotes for assets on base. The crypto exchange announced the incident on X on Thursday, confirming the situation and assuring users that its team was tracking the problem and would provide an update. During the investigation , the trading platform found a lag or poor performance when depositing CAD via EFT on the mobile app. It promised to work on the situation and provide updates as more information became available. The crypto exchange also confirmed to its users that all their funds will remain safe during the investigation. Coinbase users face repeated outages, delays, and access issues Due to a third party issue, some users may be experiencing incorrect or missing balances and incorrect price quotes for assets on Base. Our team is monitoring this situation and will provide an update shortly. Your funds are safe. — Coinbase Support (@CoinbaseSupport) January 21, 2026 On the Coinbase status page, it announced that regions such as the Philippines had limited access to the platform during the incident. However, the crypto exchange went on to state that access was still possible through alternative networks, such as Wi-Fi or international networks, if a user was traveling. After the investigation, the crypto exchange identified “Degraded performance Base Network” as the issue and later announced it had resolved the incident. According to the status page, the current incident follows a series of similar incidents in which users experience problems while using the platform. On January 20, the exchange reported that some users were experiencing delays in sending and receiving on the Ronin network. However, it confirmed that Buys, Sells, and Fiat withdrawals/deposits remained unaffected. Similar to the recent case, the crypto exchange went on to reassure users that it will work on the situation and provide updates if it changes. It also assured users that all their funds would be safe during the investigation process. On January 19, Coinbase experienced delays in sending on the Polygon Network. The payment service platform confirmed that during the incident, receiving, buying, selling, and fiat withdrawals/deposits were not affected. In the last three months, the platform has reported more than 86 incidents, with January reporting the fewest, at almost 17. Of this, two incidents are still scheduled for maintenance. Coinbase suffers from AWS outage, network, and system failures Late last year, a massive AWS US-East-1 regional outage caused a major service disruption for Coinbase and many other businesses. The outage occurred in two waves. Wave 1 occurred approximately from 3 AM to 7 AM ET, and wave 2 occurred approximately from 11 AM to 6 PM ET. The outage impacted Coinbase customers, from being unable to access the platform to trading disruptions. Transfers, withdrawals, and deposits were delayed or failed. According to the crypto exchange, the AWS US-East-1 regional outage also affected Market data, staking, onboarding, and cryptocurrency send/receive. During downtime, the crypto service provider reported that users experienced poor performance for a total of 3 hours and 17 minutes. The report revealed that all Coinbase services were back up and running around 6:45 p.m. ET after AWS made changes to several technologies on which the platform depends, including EC2 network state propagation. In another incident in February 2024, the trading platform experienced technical issues that led many users to see a balance of zero when opening their accounts. “We are aware that some users may see a zero balance across their accounts and may experience errors in buying or selling,” Coinbase said in a statement. It then advised users to follow the system outage on its status page. Users’ complaints continue to arise every day. Since 2016, Coinbase users have filed more than 11,000 complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, mostly related to customer service. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
