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23 Jan 2026, 14:10

TSMC earmarks $160B Phoenix, Arizona investment as part of Taiwan's deal with the U.S

The world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, is investing $160 billion in Phoenix, Arizona, to establish several chip manufacturing facilities. The firm said the initiative aims to strengthen Taiwan’s ties with the U.S. The President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, also said on Friday that the country is planning to invest more in semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona. He met with Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego and told him that the investment in the state is proof of cooperation between the two countries’ tech industries. Trump urges major chip manufacturers to invest in the U.S. Lai also acknowledged that the initiative is an example of the successful economic and technological collaboration between the two countries. The semiconductor investment comes as U.S. President Donald Trump urged major chip producers to expand their investment in the country. Taiwan-based semiconductor firms announced plans to invest $250 billion in the U.S. to boost chip, energy, and AI production. The president also promised to invest an additional $250 billion in credit to boost investment. “The amount of investment that is happening in Arizona right now from Taiwanese firms, especially TSMC, is impressive. We are the envy of other states, and we want to continue to see that growth.” -Ruben Gallego, Senator of Arizona. Cryptopolitan previously reported that the U.S. agreed last week to lower export tariffs on goods from Taiwan from 20% to 15%. Gallego became the first U.S. official to meet Taiwan’s president in person since both countries settled the trade negotiations. Under the new tariff agreement, Washington imposed lower levies on imports of semiconductors or related manufacturing equipment and products for chipmakers like TSMC that invest in the U.S. Semiconductor firms will also be able to import some items duty-free. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun told reporters earlier this week that the trade agreement was not about hollowing out Taiwan’s chip industry. He argued that the sector is crucial to the country’s economy, which he said is widely referred to as the “sacred mountain” protecting Taiwan. U.S. tariff deal aims to support Taiwan’s high-tech industries Cheng also acknowledged that the deal will not relocate the supply chain but will instead support the country’s high-tech industries to boost their foreign investment. The Taiwanese politician revealed that the trade agreement will enable semiconductor firms that expand in the U.S. to import up to 2.5 times their new capacity of chips and wafers with no extra tariffs during an approved construction period. He also said that such chipmakers as TSMC would receive preferential treatment for chips that exceed that quota. Cheng revealed that the country has secured preferential treatment under any future Section 232 measures on semiconductors. The measures are part of an ongoing U.S. national security investigation into imports of key products like advanced computing chips, steel, and automobiles. He also believes the actual Section 232 semiconductor tariff could reach 100% in the future, based on what U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. Cheng acknowledged that the semiconductor rate remains unchanged, but said Taiwan has already ensured that the U.S. will grant the country zero tariffs within the quota and preferential tariffs outside the quota, regardless of any future tariff scenario. Lutnick said last week that Washington will impose 100% tariffs on companies that do not build in the U.S. Cheng also cited past efforts to help the international community during crises as an example of the country’s support. Cheng hopes that Taiwan and the U.S. can lead in the future through partnerships under the wave of artificial intelligence adoption. He also stated that Taiwan’s strategic objective is to work together with the U.S. to build a high-tech supply chain for the democratic camp. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

23 Jan 2026, 14:05

XRP Fan: Once This Integration Happens, XRP $10k–$50k Becomes Standard Price

Crypto markets often fixate on charts and cycles, but long-term value rarely emerges from speculation alone. Structural adoption, liquidity design, and real-world utility usually determine whether an asset matures into financial infrastructure. XRP now sits at the center of that conversation as institutions increasingly explore blockchain-based settlement and payments. That debate intensified after BarriC, a long-time XRP advocate, shared a post on X outlining how XRP’s valuation model could shift dramatically once full banking and institutional integration take hold. His view reframes XRP not as a retail-driven asset, but as a liquidity tool priced by function rather than hype. Utility-Based Valuation, Not Speculation BarriC’s thesis rests on utility-based pricing. In traditional markets, infrastructure assets derive value from the scale and efficiency of the systems they support. XRP’s design targets real-time gross settlement , cross-border liquidity, and capital efficiency. Supporters argue that once banks and institutions rely on XRP to move large volumes of value, price becomes a function of throughput and liquidity depth. Ripple’s existing payment rails already demonstrate how blockchain can reduce settlement times from days to seconds. As institutions seek alternatives to prefunded accounts and correspondent banking, XRP’s role as a neutral bridge asset becomes increasingly relevant. $XRP $10,000–$50,000 Becomes the standard price when $XRP is integrated into banking and institutional infrastructure. — BarriC (@B_arri_C) January 22, 2026 Liquidity Requirements and Supply Constraints XRP operates with a fixed maximum supply of 100 billion tokens, with a significant portion locked in escrow and large balances held by long-term wallets. This structure limits the available circulating supply. In high-volume settlement environments, liquidity matters more than transaction cost. Higher unit prices theoretically allow institutions to transfer large sums using fewer tokens, reducing market impact and slippage. Advocates argue that deep liquidity paired with limited supply creates upward pressure if XRP becomes embedded in institutional settlement flows. Regulation and Institutional Readiness Regulatory clarity remains a key catalyst. Over recent years, XRP has benefited from improved legal certainty in major jurisdictions , lowering barriers for institutional experimentation. Clearer frameworks around digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenized assets have encouraged banks to move from pilots toward production. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 At the same time, global finance increasingly focuses on the tokenization of real-world assets and on-chain settlement. These trends align directly with XRP’s original use case and technical architecture. Vision Versus Verifiable Outcomes Claims of XRP reaching $10,000 to $50,000 per token remain speculative. No current adoption metrics, transaction volumes, or institutional mandates support such valuations today. Market outcomes will depend on competition, regulation, and the pace of integration. Still, BarriC’s argument highlights an important shift. XRP’s long-term narrative now centers on infrastructure utility rather than short-term price cycles. Whether or not those price levels ever materialize, the discussion reflects how institutional integration could redefine how XRP is valued. In that context, XRP’s future hinges less on market sentiment and more on whether global finance truly adopts blockchain as its settlement backbone. 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 urged to do in-depth 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 Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post XRP Fan: Once This Integration Happens, XRP $10k–$50k Becomes Standard Price appeared first on Times Tabloid .

23 Jan 2026, 13:50

Revolut cans merger plan for de novo U.S. banking license application

Britain’s Fintech Revolut has canceled plans to merge with a U.S. lender and instead applied for an independent U.S. banking license. The London-headquartered financial services firm held talks with U.S. officials about applying for a license through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in hopes of accelerating the process. Revolut emphasized the importance of the U.S. market to its global growth strategy, stressing that its long-term plan is to establish a bank in the United States. It also stated that it will continue to actively explore all options, including the U.S. de novo bank license application. Previously, Revolut sought to acquire a nationally chartered U.S. bank, which would have allowed the resulting conglomerate to offer banking services across 50 states. The company hoped the process would be a breeze due to the deregulatory push under President Donald Trump’s administration. At the time, Revolut preferred an acquisition to applying for a banking charter on its own because that would accelerate its U.S. expansion. Revolut concludes that the acquisition could be tricky Apparently, the Revolut team made a U-turn on the acquisition after concluding that a takeover would be tricky if it had to keep bricks-and-mortar branches open. An acquisition would also require the fintech to engage with U.S. regulators, who would need to approve changes to the targeted lender’s ownership. Meanwhile, Revolut believes that the U.S. has a more expansive traditional banking sector and a large number of wealthy consumers that UK-based banks seek to tap into. The decision comes as British fintechs reportedly set their sights on the U.S. as a potential market for growth amid a significant slowdown in consumer growth in the home market. However, applying for a national charter through the OCC can sometimes take years to get approval. On the other hand, the Trump administration has revoked a Biden-era OCC rule that imposed strict oversight of bank mergers. Fintech executives are now saying that they have noticed a change in the OCC’s attitude, and many are pushing their individual companies to apply for the bank charter. Law firm Freshfields’ data reveals that 14 applications were submitted to the OCC for a de novo charter to become a limited-purpose national trust bank, many from fintechs. Revolut seeks a full banking license in Peru Revolut is also looking to compete with some of Latin America’s fintechs, having recently applied for a full banking license in Peru. The license would allow the London-based company to roll out a range of localized services and products, offering Peruvians greater financial control. Meanwhile, Peru is reportedly the fifth country in the region that Revolut has entered. The company has already won approvals in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina. On the other hand, SBS, Peru’s national banking regulator, says that the country has a highly concentrated financial system, with only four of the country’s largest banks accounting for over 82% of the total loans. “Our main competitors are going to be incumbents, because there are no huge new players like Nubank or Mercado Pago…I see ourselves as a way to increase competition and improve the experience of the banked and unbanked population in Peru.” – Julien Labrot , Peru Chief Executive Officer at Revolut According to Labrot, Revolut offers notable remittance and multi-currency services, which give it a competitive edge in Peru. He also notes that approximately 1 million Peruvians live on remittances from overseas. Meanwhile, the expansion is part of the company’s broader push to reach 100 million customers worldwide, a significant jump from the current 70 million. Revolut also hopes to generate over $100 billion in annual revenue as it continues to penetrate more global markets. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

23 Jan 2026, 13:40

Bank of Russia moves to bring crypto platforms out of shadow economy with simpler laws

Russian regulators are promising a “simple licensing” regime for crypto platforms that keep away from the country’s securities market. The relaxed requirements for coin trading and wallet services should bring more of the already active providers out of the shadow economy. Bank of Russia seeks to legalize existing crypto firms through easier rules Licensing procedures will be simpler for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital-asset custodians that are not planning to work with securities, indicated a top executive of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). According to Ekaterina Lozgacheva, director of the regulator’s Department for Strategic Development of the Financial Markets, this approach will help them move out of the gray sector. Her statements come after last month, when the monetary authority unveiled a new concept for comprehensive regulation of the Russian crypto space. As part of its proposals, already filed for government review, traditional institutions such as stock exchanges and brokers, will be able to operate with the new asset class under their current licenses and using existing infrastructure. However, platforms specialized in providing crypto-related services will have to meet a set of specific standards that may not be as tough as initially expected. “We believe that separate requirements are necessary for participants such as digital depositories and crypto exchanges to allow them to transition to the legal realm,” Lozgacheva stated. Quoted by the Finmarket financial news outlet on Thursday, she elaborated: “If, for example, they plan to operate solely in the cryptocurrency market and avoid the securities market, then they won’t need to comply with securities market requirements.” “Such simple licensing is necessary and, in our view, it will enable the transition from a gray area to a regulated one for those who truly need it,” the CBR official insisted. Additional rules to reduce crypto exposure for traditional institutions Lozgacheva added that Bank of Russia plans to introduce special prudential requirements for banks and brokers to limit their exposure to risky crypto assets. “If any risks arise in cryptocurrency transactions, then core activities in the traditional financial market should not suffer any losses. This is important,” she emphasized. The representative of Russia’s main financial regulator also clarified that cryptocurrency obtained through mining will be sold both in Russia and abroad without any restrictions. Moscow legalized the minting of digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC) in late 2024 and has been trying to tap into the growing industry’s profits. To achieve that, Russian officials say the country needs to build its own crypto trading infrastructure and increase the number of miners registered with the tax service. Ekaterina Lozgacheva made the comments during an event branded as Russia’s “First Political Crypto Forum,” which was organized by the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, a proponent of the sector’s legalization. Among the ideas discussed at the conference was a proposal pitched by the organizers to introduce an amnesty for illegally imported mining equipment. According to Leonid Slutsky, leader of the nationalist LDPR, a move like that would bring more mining enterprises out of the shadows as they are required to register their hardware as well. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the same event, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov expressed his department’s support for the CBR’s strategy to legalize the crypto sector. According to an excerpt of the central bank’s new policy, published on its website in late December, this will be accomplished by recognizing cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as “monetary assets” in Russia. Financial authorities also intend to significantly widen investor access by admitting non-qualified investors to the strictly regulated and legal Russian crypto market. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

23 Jan 2026, 13:33

Ripple set to unlock 1 billion XRP on February 1, 2026

Continuing with its usual monthly schedule, Ripple is set to release 1 billion XRP from escrow on February 1, 2026, marking the second token unlock in 2026. As has so far been the case, however, we’re unlikely to see the full 1 billion XRP entering circulation. Namely, under the transparency and supply predictability framework, 1 billion XRP is unlocked at the start of each month, but Ripple typically allocates a portion of the new batch for operational or liquidity purposes and re-escrows the rest. With the release now just over a week away, the question is how much XRP will ultimately reach the market and whether it could influence XRP price action in early February. How much XRP will Ripple unlock in February 2026? The February unlock follows Ripple’s release of 1 billion XRP at the beginning of January. Immediately after, Ripple again re-escrowed 70% of the release, or 700,000,000 XRP in total, substantially limiting the amount entering active circulation. This pattern has become a core feature of Ripple’s escrow management strategy. That is, while 1 billion XRP is technically unlocked each month, only a smaller portion is typically retained for operational purposes, while the remainder is placed into new escrow contracts, effectively extending the release schedule and constraining near-term supply growth. As a result, the predictable nature of these releases, combined with consistent relocking, has historically muted their direct impact on XRP’s price. Rather, the token tends to move with broader crypto-market conditions and demand dynamics rather than the escrows themselves. For instance, on the day of the first escrow in 2026, January 1, XRP was trading near $1.84, extending a gradual decline that had been in place since September 2025. By January 2, it was changing hands at $1.91 following a 2.74% daily gain. However, the rebound was driven by broader catalysts rather than the escrow event itself. Notably, Japan’s newly enacted 2026 tax reforms had just cut cryptocurrency taxes to 20% from 55% and cleared the launch of the country’s first XRP exchange-traded fund ( ETF ), which sparked market interest. Accordingly, headline figures such as “1 billion” and “700 million XRP” are likely to have a limited impact on the price, which is more bound to altcoin sentiment and technicals . Featured image via Shutterstock The post Ripple set to unlock 1 billion XRP on February 1, 2026 appeared first on Finbold .

23 Jan 2026, 13:29

New Kansas Bill Turns Unclaimed Assets Into a Crypto Fund

A new proposal in Kansas aims to establish a government-held reserve of Bitcoin BTC and other digital assets , but without the state purchasing any cryptocurrency.